Kenya and other African countries are set to benefit from a major trade reform package launched by the United Kingdom under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).
The initiative, aimed at African exporters and entrepreneurs, seeks to boost trade, create jobs, and support inclusive economic growth across the continent.
The reforms, officially announced by the British High Commission in Nairobi on July 10, 2025, come under the upgraded DCTS, the UK’s flagship trade preference program introduced after Brexit.
According to the British High Commission, the new measures are designed to simplify access to the UK market and strengthen economic ties with developing nations, particularly in Africa.
A key change involves simplified rules of origin, allowing DCTS countries, such as Nigeria, to source inputs from across the African continent for their finished products, while still qualifying for tariff-free entry into the UK.
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The reforms are expected to encourage not only UK-Africa trade but also intra-African commerce, reinforcing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which represents a combined market value of $3.4 trillion.
In 2024 alone, the UK imported goods worth over £3.2 billion from African countries under preferential terms provided by its trade arrangements.
UK Minister for Development Jenny Chapman stressed the UK’s shift in trade approach.
“The world is changing. Countries in the Global South want a different relationship with the UK—as a trading partner and investor, not just as a donor. These new rules will make it easier for developing countries to trade more closely with the UK. This is good for their economies and for UK consumers and businesses.”
UK Minister for Trade Policy Douglas Alexander echoed the sentiment of his counterpart saying, “No country has ever lifted itself out of poverty without trading with its neighbours. Over recent decades, trade has been an essential ingredient in lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty around the globe.”
UK Announces Additional Measures for African Exporters
In addition to the DCTS reforms, the UK government announced additional support measures for African exporters, including:
- Technical assistance to help businesses meet UK product standards and navigate customs procedures.
- Enhanced access for services trade, including digital, legal, and financial services.
- A broader Trade for Development offer, supporting partner-country growth while giving UK consumers access to high-quality, affordable goods.
These reforms align with the UK’s updated Trade Strategy, which prioritizes global partnerships and positions developing countries as key players in future-focused markets.
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Launched in 2023 following the UK’s exit from the European Union, the DCTS now covers 65 countries and offers reduced or zero tariffs on thousands of products.
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