NAIROBI, Kenya- President William Ruto has held bilateral talks with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev as Kenya seeks to deepen diplomatic and economic ties with the Eurasian nation.
The meeting took place at the Baku Olympic Stadium on the sidelines of the World Urban Forum currently underway in Baku, Azerbaijan.
According to President Ruto, the discussions focused on expanding cooperation in strategic sectors including oil and gas, renewable energy, affordable housing and trade.
“Kenya and Azerbaijan enjoy cordial diplomatic relations founded on a shared commitment to progress and mutual prosperity,” Ruto said.
The Head of State noted that Kenya was exploring partnerships with Azerbaijan aimed at unlocking investment opportunities and strengthening economic collaboration between the two countries.
Among the key issues discussed was cooperation in the oil and gas sector, including Azerbaijan’s reported interest in Kenya’s proposed oil refinery project expected to serve the wider East African region.
The two leaders also explored possible investments to support Kenya’s affordable housing programme, one of the flagship projects under the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“Our discussions focused on fostering collaboration in the oil and gas sector, investments to scale up our affordable housing programme, and renewable energy partnerships to support our target of generating 10,000MW of power,” Ruto stated.
Kenya is currently pursuing ambitious renewable energy targets as part of its broader climate and industrialisation agenda.
The talks further touched on trade opportunities, with Kenya seeking expanded markets for tea, horticultural produce and other agricultural exports in Azerbaijan and neighbouring regions.
“We explored broader trade and investment opportunities, with a focus on securing markets for Kenyan tea and horticultural products, and other agricultural exports,” the President added.
The meeting signals Kenya’s continued push to diversify economic partnerships beyond traditional allies as it seeks foreign investment, energy collaboration and export markets.
