News & Upcoming Events

Latest developments, events, and publications.

NEWS

2-day workshop for heads of government affairs and policy on the evolving global trading system and its impact on supply chains.

Services are rapidly emerging as the primary economic engine for the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). Growing at a 15% CAGR, services exports are currently outpacing goods exports, which stand at 12%. Beyond sheer volume, the services sector plays a critical stabilizing role across the bloc by providing resilient foreign exchange earnings that shield economies from the price volatility inherent in primary commodities.

Chairperson EAC Council of Ministers, Ambassador K’Ombudo host breakfast with Principal Secretaries, trade negotiators and private sector from 9 countries to coordinate actions to mitigate non-tariff barriers and to develop capacity for trade negotiators.

Modern warehouse bathed in the glow of the setting sun
African Private Sector Responds to Shifting Global Supply Chains
2-day workshop for heads of government affairs and policy on the evolving global trading system and its...
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Aerial view container cargo ship freight shipping international,
COMESA Trade in Services Op-Ed: From Regulation to Market Activation
Services are rapidly emerging as the primary economic engine for the Common Market for Eastern and Southern...
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WhatsApp Image 2026-05-29 at 3.37
EAC Multi-Sectoral High-Level Dialogue, Kigali
The global multilateral architecture is undergoing a profound shift, with the multilateral rules-based...
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UPCOMING EVENTS

16 November 2026 - 17 November 2026
16 - 17
An executive course for Heads of Government Affairs and equivalent leaders in export-facing local and multinational firms. The course will examine the changing trade landscape and helps participants assess how trade agreements, regulations and market shifts affect business strategy. It will focus on practical ways to use trade agreements to...
19 November 2026 - 20 November 2026
19 - 20
CTD  will run a short practical course on investment retention and dispute prevention with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). The workshop will support government officials, private-sector lawyers, and investors to better understand investment-related risks, strengthen investor–state engagement and identify practical approaches for preventing disputes before they...
01 January 2027
All day
Executive programme for CEOs and heads of government affairs to review recent developments in international trade and global supply chains and position the exporting private sector to adapt and thrive in a challenging global operating environment Leveraging on a peer-to-peer approach to accelerate export performance for livestock products in Gulf...

PAST EVENTS

18 September 2026 - 19 September 2026
All day
CTD will contribute to discussions at the WTI World Trade Forum on trade preferences and the changing practice of economic statecraft. The exchanges will consider how developing and middle-income economies can navigate a more fragmented global trading environment, make market-access preferences more effective and use trade, investment and diplomacy to...
15 September 2026 - 17 September 2026
15 - 17
CTD will contribute to discussions at the WTO Public Forum on digital regulation for services trade, services trade competitiveness and export diversification through technical regulations and quality infrastructure. The contributions will examine how countries can use evidence, regulatory reform and practical implementation tools to expand services exports, attract investment and...
09 July 2026
All day
CTD partnered with the State Department for Foreign Affairs and the Foreign Service Academy to train a new cohort of Foreign Service Officers posted to ~20 countries. The programme examined how officers can use market intelligence, overseas networks and private-sector linkages to identify opportunities, facilitate connections and advance Kenya’s trade...
23 June 2026 - 24 June 2026
23 - 24
Leveraging on a peer-to-peer approach to accelerate export performance for livestock products in Gulf Cooperation Council markets. This policy engagement process targets Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Djibouti and is implemented in partnership with the World Bank Group.
05 June 2026
All day
CTD supported a virtual training and planning session for 149 Heads of Mission, Deputy Heads of Mission and Trade Attachés on accelerating Kenya’s services exports. Delivered with the State Department for Foreign Affairs, the Foreign Service Academy and the World Bank Group, the session examined mission-led export strategies, services-demand analysis...
29 May 2026
All day
CTD partnered with the State Department for Foreign Affairs and the Foreign Service Academy to train a cohort of Foreign Service Officers posted to nearly 40 countries across four continents. The programme focused on commercial diplomacy and the role of Kenya’s missions in advancing trade and investment interests, supporting efforts...
29 May 2026
All day
Short course for a selected cadre of Kenya’s foreign service officers on export development and using analytic tools for decision-making.

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