Kenya has vowed to appeal a recent court ruling that suspended its trade agreement with the European Union, according to the country’s trade ministry. The decision, made by the East African Court of Justice, followed a case filed by a think-tank that argued Kenya’s signing of the agreement violated provisions of the East African Community treaty.

The East African Community, a regional economic bloc comprising eight east African countries, aims to promote economic integration and cooperation among its member states. The Kenya-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement, which came into force in 2024, has been a subject of controversy among regional trade experts. They argue that the agreement should have been negotiated with the entire East African Community, rather than Kenya alone.

Despite this, the agreement remains open to other east African states that wish to join. The deal allows Kenya to export goods such as flowers and fruits to the EU, while providing Europe with duty-free access to the Kenyan market and reducing tariffs on its exports over a 25-year period. In 2023, Kenya’s trade with the EU was valued at approximately €3 billion, with exports totaling nearly €1.2 billion.

The suspension of the agreement is significant for Kenya, as the EU is one of its major trading partners. The country’s trade ministry has expressed its intention to appeal the court’s decision, which may have implications for the country’s economic relations with the EU. The East African Court of Justice’s ruling highlights the complexities of regional trade agreements and the need for careful consideration of the interests of all parties involved.

As the appeal process unfolds, it remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved. The outcome may have far-reaching consequences for Kenya’s trade relations with the EU and the East African Community. With the region’s economic integration and cooperation at stake, the resolution of this dispute will be closely watched by trade experts and policymakers alike. The appeal process is expected to provide clarity on the future of the Kenya-EU trade agreement and its implications for the region’s economic development.