Kenya to elevate its partnership with European Union, Ruto says

President William Ruto announced on Thursday that Kenya and the European Union (EU) are to elevate their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, marking 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two entities. At a gathering in Nairobi hosted by the President, Heads of EU Delegations to African nations discussed translating decades of cooperation into tangible economic, digital, and security gains.

The President highlighted that the EU remains Kenya's largest export market, accounting for 21% of the country's global exports. He emphasized the need to address obstacles to smallholder producers such as sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, high freight costs, and insufficient cold-chain infrastructure. To unlock further opportunities, Kenya and the EU will explore expanding European investment in manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture, energy, and healthcare, utilizing the EU's Global Gateway initiative.

Digital transformation was identified as a crucial area for strengthening cooperation, focusing on fiber-optic connectivity, artificial intelligence, and digital public services to position Kenya as a regional digital hub. Peace and security discussions included the EU's longstanding support for African Union-led missions in Somalia and a €20 million (Ksh 3 billion) contribution towards bolstering the Kenya Defence Forces.

President Ruto urged both sides to shift from declarations to concrete results, challenging them to move from dialogue to delivery, pledges to investments, and cooperation to measurable outcomes. The President concluded by stating that the next 50 years should be characterized by a partnership that fosters prosperity, strengthens peace and security, expands opportunity, and ensures a more equitable and prosperous world for all.