Policy Advocacy &
Policy Win
Our Taskforces
Advocating Together for a Better Business Environment
Digital Economy Taskforce
Building Kenya's Digital
Future
The Digital Economy Taskforce champions policies that accelerate Kenya’s transformation into a leading digital hub in Africa. We advocate for regulatory frameworks that support innovation, data protection, the expansion of digital infrastructure, and the growth of tech-enabled businesses.
Focus Areas
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- Digital infrastructure and connectivity
- Data governance and cybersecurity
- E-commerce and digital financial services
- ICT policy and regulatory reform
- Innovation and technology adoption
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Policy Advocacy
Our Taskforces
Working Together for a Better Business Environment
AmCham Kenya’s taskforces serve as platforms for structured dialogue between industry and government to advance reforms that support job creation, drive innovation, and strengthen Kenya’s competitiveness. Through six core sector taskforces – Health, Manufacturing, Digital Economy, Agriculture, Infrastructure & Energy, and Tax, we translate member insights into practical policy solutions that unlock economic opportunity and deepen trade and investment across the economy.
Digital Economy Taskforce
Building Kenya's Digital Future
Focus Areas
- Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies
- Cybersecurity & Data Governance
- Cloud Policy & Cross-Border Data Flows (CBDF)
- Innovation, Enterprise & Digital Jobs
- Digital infrastructure
- Competition
- Broadcasting & Telecommunication
- Digital Taxes
Health Taskforce
Advancing Healthcare Excellence
Focus Areas:
- Quality Care
- Health Financing
- Health Technology
- Regulatory Reform
- WHO Maturity Level 3 (ML3) in Health Regulation
Manufacturing Taskforce
Powering Industrial Growth
Focus Areas:
- Circular Economy
- Local and Responsible Sourcing
- Green Manufacturing
- Regulatory Reform
Agriculture Taskforce
Transforming Agribusiness
Focus Areas:
- Strengthen Kenya’s seed system
- Agriculture investment security & protection
- Advanced seed technology with emphasis on animal feed and non-food uses
- Agricultural & livestock technology
Tax Taskforce
Promoting Fair and Competitive Tax Landscape
Focus Areas:
- Tax policy reform and advocacy
- Double taxation agreements
- Tax incentives and exemptions
- Customs and VAT administration
- Transfer pricing and international tax compliance
Energy and Infrastructure Taskforce
Building Foundation for Growth
The Energy and Infrastructure Taskforce advocates for sustainable infrastructure development and reliable energy supply as cornerstones of economic progress. We promote policies that attract investment, improve project delivery, and ensure Kenya’s infrastructure meets the demands of a growing economy.
Focus Areas:
- Energy policy and renewable energy development
- Transportation and logistics networks
- Energy efficiency and sustainability
Creative Economy Priorities
- Stronger IP rights enforcement
- Streamlined processes for entertainment, TV, and film
- Enhanced sports governance and professionalization
- PPP frameworks for creative infrastructure
Critical Supply Chains Priorities
- Advanced processing and standards for critical minerals.
- Trade and logistics reforms for U.S.-Kenya flows.
- Industry-academia workforce development.
Advocacy That Delivers Results
AmCham Kenya has achieved significant policy victories that have strengthened Kenya’s business environment and accelerated economic growth. Through strategic government engagement, persistent advocacy, and collaborative partnerships, our task forces have influenced critical reforms across key sectors of Kenya’s economy.
These wins represent tangible progress toward a more competitive, transparent, and investment-friendly Kenya, demonstrating the power of collective voice and evidence-based advocacy in shaping policies that matter.
2025 Key Wins
1. Tax & Fiscal Policy
Finance Act, 2025
Software Payments
Successfully opposed the classification of software distribution payments as royalties subject to withholding tax; proposal dropped, protecting margins and preventing double taxation.
Advance Pricing Agreements
Advocated for a formal APA framework, now introduced in law, increasing tax certainty and reducing transfer pricing disputes for multinationals.
Investment Allowances
Opposed the proposed repeal of 100%/150% capital deduction allowances; repeal dropped, preserving incentives for investment in telecoms, SEZs, and manufacturing.
Spectrum Fees
Secured a 10% capital allowance on spectrum license fees, reducing the cost of digital infrastructure and supporting connectivity expansion.
Tax Procedures Act – Due Process & Fairness
Agency Notices During Appeals
Blocked proposal to allow agency notices during active tax appeals, preserving constitutional due process and investor confidence.
Trade Secrets & Personal Data
Retained confidentiality safeguards protecting trade secrets and customer data from compulsory disclosure to KRA, in alignment with the Data Protection Act, 2019.
Appeal Timelines
Prevented weekends and public holidays from being counted in statutory appeal timelines, preserving fairness in tax dispute resolution.
Electronic System Error Penalties
Secured discretion to waive penalties and interest arising from electronic system errors, enhancing fairness in tax administration.
International Tax
Significant Economic Presence Tax (SEPT) Regulations
Recommended and achieved issuance of Draft SEPT Regulations, enhancing certainty for cross-border transactions.
Minimum Top-Up Tax Regulations
Secured issuance of Draft Regulations, providing clarity for multinationals on global minimum tax obligations.
2. Energy & Infrastructure
Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)
Sustained advocacy led to the lifting of the moratorium on new PPAs, restoring investor confidence and supporting competitive power pricing and energy security.
3. Digital Economy, AI & Cloud Policy
Kenya National AI Strategy (2025–2030)
Stakeholder engagement contributed to the adoption of a business-aligned, innovation-friendly national AI strategy, providing strategic clarity for AI investment.
Kenya Cloud Policy, 2024
Advocacy for open, multi-stakeholder governance reflected in the final policy, enabling cross-border data flows and supporting cloud-driven business models.
AI Code of Practice (DKS 3007:2024)
Submissions on transparency, safety, privacy, and accountability adopted, providing clarity for compliant AI deployment across fintech, cloud, and data-driven sectors.
4. Cybersecurity & Digital Rights
Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2025
Opposed broad website and app blocking powers; secured introduction of mandatory court authorization for content removal, reducing risk of arbitrary shutdowns and strengthening Kenya's attractiveness to tech investors.
2024 Key Wins
Motor Vehicle Circulation Tax
Complete removal of the proposed motor vehicle circulation tax, protecting vehicle owners from additional taxation burden.
Income Tax Act Royalty Definition Reform
Amendment of the Income Tax Act royalty definition to exclude software payments, maintaining alignment with OECD practices, and protecting technology investments.
Foreign Loan Interest Deferral
Preservation of the 5-year deferral limit for foreign loan interest expenses, maintaining favorable financing conditions for businesses.
Significant Economic Presence Tax (SEPT)
Reduction of SEPT for digital companies from 20% to 10%, halving the tax burden on digital service providers.
Excise Duty Relief
Exemption of vegetable oils and clinker from excise duty, plus reduced duty on imported sugar for confectionery and spirits, promoting investment in manufacturing.
Data Privacy Protection
Withdrawal of provisions allowing KRA broad access to personal data, safeguarding privacy rights, and ensuring compliance with the Data Protection Act of 2019.
2023 Key Wins
VAT on Export of Services
Removal of the 16% VAT on exportation of services, boosting the competitiveness of Kenyan service exporters.
Digital Services Tax
Commitment to align the Digital Service Tax with the OECD Two-Pillar Framework, bringing Kenya in line with global standards.
Tax Refunds & Transparency
Commitment to improve efficiency in the tax refund process and enhance transparency in the tax regime.
Foreign ICT Equity Requirements
Review of equity requirements for foreign ICT entities, creating a more open investment environment.
Startup Taxation
Exemption of taxation on unrealized gains for startups, reducing the financial burden on early-stage businesses.
Financial Action Task Force
Establishment of a Financial Action Task Force (FATF) framework to strengthen Kenya's financial compliance and integrity.
EPZ/SEZ Laws
Review of Export Processing Zone and Special Economic Zone laws to enhance their competitiveness and attractiveness to investors.
VAT on Export of Services
Removal of the 16% VAT on exportation of services, boosting the competitiveness of Kenyan service exporters.
Digital Services Tax
Commitment to align the Digital Service Tax with the OECD Two-Pillar Framework, bringing Kenya in line with global standards.
Tax Refunds & Transparency
Commitment to improve efficiency in the tax refund process and enhance transparency in the tax regime.
Foreign ICT Equity Requirements
Review of equity requirements for foreign ICT entities, creating a more open investment environment.
Startup Taxation
Exemption of taxation on unrealized gains for startups, reducing the financial burden on early-stage businesses.
Financial Action Task Force
Establishment of a Financial Action Task Force (FATF) framework to strengthen Kenya's financial compliance and integrity.
EPZ/SEZ Laws
Review of Export Processing Zone and Special Economic Zone laws to enhance their competitiveness and attractiveness to investors.
2022 Key Wins
Digital Service Tax
Successfully maintained the Digital Service Tax at 1.5%, preventing a proposed increase to 3%.
Tax Disputes Reform
Secured removal of the requirement to deposit 50% of disputed tax upfront under the Tax Appeals Tribunal Act, easing the burden on businesses contesting tax assessments.
GMO Policy
Achieved the lifting of the ban on open cultivation of genetically modified crops and the importation of food crops and animal feeds produced through biotechnology innovations.
2021 Key Wins
The Finance Bill, 2021
Protected locally manufactured sugar confectionery and chocolate from excise duty and reinstated the definition of "farm-works" in the Finance Act to restore clarity on qualifying capital deductions.
The Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Bill, 2021
Engaged the Communications Authority to develop cybersecurity best practices and standards, with a mapping exercise underway to identify critical information infrastructure systems.
The Data Protection (General) Regulations, 2021
Secured an amendment to Section 50 permitting cross-border data flows with a copy retained in Kenya.
The Data Protection (Registration of Data Controllers and Data Processors) Regulations, 2021
The Data Protection Commissioner committed to a collaborative mechanism with AmCham to provide input on sector-specific guidelines.