KNCCI Opens Dubai Trade Protection Office to End Billions in Annual Export Losses

The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) has formally launched a trade protection office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking a strategic pivot from export promotion to active protection of Kenyan exporters in one of the country’s most critical international markets. The inauguration took place on January 15, 2026, under the leadership of Chamber President Dr. Erick Rutto. 

A Response to Long-Standing Export Vulnerabilities

Kenyan exporters, particularly in the fresh produce and livestock sectors, have long faced financial losses in Gulf markets due to fraudulent buyers, non-payment and market exploitation. According to KNCCI data, approximately three containers of fresh produce are lost every week — around 156 containers annually — to buyers who take delivery and never make payment or invoke spurious quality complaints. 

In the livestock trade, the situation has been equally challenging. KNCCI figures indicate that between 25 % and 30 % of livestock exports to the UAE and Saudi Arabia go unpaid, translating to losses of about KSh 6 billion per year for Kenyan traders. 

Dr. Rutto framed the initiative as a direct intervention to turn trade from a gamble into a structured, secure process. “Exporting should be profitable, not a gamble,” he emphasised at the launch, underscoring the need for protection systems that secure payments and uphold contractual obligations abroad. 

Functions of the Dubai Office

The newly established Dubai office is designed to serve as a frontline trade protection hub, offering:

• Buyer verification and due diligence to confirm the legitimacy of potential importers.

• Secure payment arrangements, including mechanisms such as escrow and advance payment options to protect exporters before goods are released.

• Legal support and dispute resolution through local Emirati lawyers and cooperation with UAE authorities.

• Market intelligence and real-time pricing and compliance information to improve competitiveness and visibility.

• Shared monitoring tools, such as blacklists of defaulting buyers, to alert Kenyan exporters in real time. 

These services aim to bridge critical gaps in risk mitigation such as information asymmetry, lack of insurance or guarantees and weak enforcement mechanisms abroad — issues that previously left exporters vulnerable once consignments left Kenyan ports. 

Economic and Strategic Implications

The UAE stands as one of Kenya’s top export destinations, with goods valued at about USD 401.5 million (approx. KSh 50 billion) in 2023, but the absence of robust trade safeguards meant exports often returned no payment, undermining foreign exchange flows and the viability of key agricultural sectors. 

The Dubai office is intended to stabilise revenue streams, reinforce investor confidence, and ensure that farmers and small-medium enterprises benefit fully from international markets, rather than shouldering disproportionate risk. By constraining the exploitation of Kenyan exporters, KNCCI aims to preserve foreign currency earnings, reduce pressure on the Kenyan shilling, and strengthen the country’s commercial footprint in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. 

Broader Trade Context

The launch aligns with wider economic diplomacy, including Kenya’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE and existing bilateral ties since 1982. KNCCI’s initiative complements these frameworks by embedding practical protection measures alongside policy commitments, ensuring that enhanced market access is paired with enforceable safeguards for Kenyan businesses.