Driving Dutch Private Sector Success in East Africa Through the Dutch Desk Kenya

With a professional background in tax advisory and an understanding of both Dutch and Kenyan business cultures, Sophie embodies the Desk’s mission: to act as a trusted liaison who can help companies access the right financing, understand the market, and connect with key stakeholders.

Navigating Kenya’s Opportunities and Challenges

Kenya offers an attractive entry point to East Africa, boasting a large and youthful population, a tech-savvy workforce, and established infrastructure compared to many of its neighbours. Nairobi is already home to numerous international organisations and is considered a regional hub for finance, logistics, and technology.

Yet for foreign companies, the path is not without hurdles. Kenya’s interest rates, currently averaging around 16%, are significantly higher than what Dutch businesses are used to. “For Dutch companies, these high local interest rates can make financing very challenging,” Sophie notes. In the Netherlands, corporate loan rates can be as low as 4–8%. “It can even make it impossible to run a viable business if you rely only on local financing,” she adds.

In addition, companies face hurdles with regulatory compliance, understanding the local legal environment, and adjusting to different business cultures. “Doing business in Kenya takes a little longer,” Sophie explains. “You need to know the right people, build strong relationships, and understand the cultural context. That’s why having a local partner is crucial.”

These insights echo what global reports, like the World Bank’s Doing Business indicators, have long documented: while Kenya ranks favourably in areas such as starting a business, challenges remain in dealing with permits, access to credit, and enforcing contracts.

Similarly, a Kenyan company looking to import Dutch agricultural equipment can access export financing through Invest International, benefiting both the Kenyan buyer and the Dutch supplier.

Market Intelligence & Matchmaking:
Beyond financing, the Desk offers crucial guidance on navigating Kenya’s regulatory and cultural landscape. “We help companies understand the market, from laws and regulations to the way business is done here,” Sophie says. This includes connecting companies with local partners, government agencies, and organisations such as the Netherlands Business Hub Kenya, which supports Dutch companies with market entry, stakeholder engagement, and networking.

Although matchmaking is not the Desk’s primary mandate, Sophie sees it as a natural part of her role: “For someone who is new in Kenya, it’s very difficult to find the right local contact within a bank or government office. I help shorten that process.”

Aligning with Kenya’s Aspirations

While supporting Dutch businesses, the Desk also contributes to Kenya’s development priorities. Invest International’s mission is rooted in impact investing, with a focus on job creation and climate action; goals that resonate with Kenya’s own ambitions.

“Our investments not only support Dutch companies but also generate jobs locally and facilitate sustainable development,” Sophie points out. Examples include projects in sectors like renewable energy, infrastructure, healthcare, and agribusiness, all areas of strategic importance to both Kenya and the Netherlands.

Agriculture and food security, in particular, remain a cornerstone of the Desk’s sector focus. With Kenya’s growing population and ongoing need for innovative farming solutions, Dutch expertise in agri-food is in high demand. Energy and infrastructure are also key sectors where Dutch technology and capital can make a difference.

Looking Ahead

The Dutch Desk is still in its first year of operations, but Sophie is already laying the groundwork for greater impact. “This year is about building visibility,  making sure Dutch businesses know that we’re here to help,” she says. She’s optimistic that the Desk will attract more investments and foster deeper Dutch–Kenyan business ties in the years ahead.