The UK has launched its first-ever East Africa Trade and Investment Forum (EATIF), marking a new chapter in UK-East Africa economic ties. Held from May 21–22, 2025, the forum is designed
to strengthen trade and investment relationships between the UK and key East African nations — Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Major investment announcements
At the event, two significant investments were unveiled:
1. $100 Million Trade Finance Facility:
British International Investment (BII) and Standard Chartered Bank are launching a $100 million facility to support trade finance in Kenya and Tanzania. The initiative aims to reduce risks in cross-border and domestic trade, improve access to capital, and ensure the supply of essential goods and services.
This facility qualifies under the 2X Challenge, promoting gender equality and empowering women in developing economies. It will specifically support women-led enterprises and female employment, with a projected impact of over $450 million in trade volumes.
2. $5 Million in Electric Mobility:
BII will also invest $5 million in Kenya’s electric mobility sector. The funding supports ARC Ride’s rollout of 5,000 electric motorbikes and an upgraded battery-swapping network. The initiative is expected to save over 100,000 metric tons of CO₂annually by replacing petrol-powered bikes.
High-level participation
UK Minister for Africa, Lord Collins, led the UK delegation and was joined by top officials from East Africa, including:
Abubakar Hassan Abubakar, Principal Secretary, Kenya’s State Department for Investment Promotion
John Mwendwa, CEO, Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest)
General Katumba Wamala, Uganda’s Minister for Works and Transport
Msafiri Lameck Mbibo, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Tanzania’s Ministry of Minerals
Statements from key figures
Lord Collins, the UK Government’s Minister for Africa, said:
“The UK is a long-term partner for long-term investment in East Africa. This forum will showcase the best of East African business to British business and lay a pipeline of private sector investment between them. This, combined with much-needed improvements to regulations and resilience, will lead to jobs and mutual growth in the future. We go far when we go together”.
Mwebesa Francis, Ugandan Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives said:
“We welcome the UK-East Africa Trade and Investment Forum 2025 as a platform to highlight Uganda’s vibrant trade and investment opportunities. By engaging with UK investors and partners, we aim to enhance our trade infrastructure, diversify our export markets, and drive sustainable development. We hope this forum will also explore ways to leverage trade and investment to accelerate progress towards our Ten-fold Growth Strategy, unlocking new opportunities for economic growth and development”.
Abubakar Hassan Abubakar, Principal Secretary, State Department for Investment Promotion, Kenya, said:
“Kenya provides Africa’s leading value proposition for private capital, with a great portfolio of opportunities in key sectors. We are proud to be part of the UK EATIF and welcome the regional focus that fosters economic integration”.
Chris Chijiutomi, MD and Head of Africa at British International Investment, said:
“BII is proud to announce these two investments today at the EATIF, demonstrating our commitment to fostering economic growth in East Africa. By making trade finance more accessible and backing innovative infrastructure projects like electric motorbikes, we are addressing critical needs in the region. We’re not only supporting businesses that are the backbone of these economies, but also driving inclusive and sustainable growth, contributing to a more resilient and prosperous East African region”.
Forum objectives and future plans
Organized by DMA Invest and the East Africa Association in partnership with the UK government, the EATIF seeks to build a robust pipeline of investment in sectors like infrastructure, clean energy, agribusiness, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The forum mirrors the success of the West and Central Africa Forum (WCAF), which secured over £1 billion in deals across three years. EATIF is intended to spark similar momentum, with follow-up engagements planned to convert relationships into concrete investments.
The event also highlights the UK’s comprehensive support tools, such as UK Export Finance (UKEF) and BII. UKEF, for instance, has scaled its exposure in West and Central Africa from £3 million to over £1.2 billion — a transformation expected to follow in East Africa.
Through high-level meetings and business dialogues, EATIF aims to align regional priorities with investor interests, paving the way for lasting economic partnerships. Photo by Vijay8808, Wikimedia commons.