NAIROBI, Kenya- President William Ruto has urged the European Union to turn its long-standing partnership with Kenya into more jobs, investments, technology transfers and measurable improvements in people’s lives.
Speaking at State House, Nairobi, during a meeting with Heads of European Union Delegations to African countries, President Ruto said Kenya and the EU must move beyond meetings and agreements towards concrete economic outcomes.
“We must move from dialogue to delivery, from commitments to investments, and from cooperation to measurable outcomes,” President Ruto said.
The President made the appeal as Kenya and the EU mark 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2026. He said the partnership now covers trade, investment, development cooperation, governance, climate action, digital transformation, peace and security.
President Ruto said Kenya wants to elevate the relationship into a comprehensive strategic partnership founded on multilateralism, international law, democratic governance and sustainable development.
Trade and investment push
The President said the EU remains Kenya’s largest export market, accounting for 21% of the country’s global exports, led by tea, coffee, horticultural produce and cut flowers.
He said the Kenya-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement, which came into force in July 2024, should translate expanded market access into tangible benefits for farmers, businesses and workers.
However, President Ruto said smallholder producers still face barriers including strict sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, rising freight costs and inadequate cold-chain infrastructure.
He called for faster negotiations towards a regional East African Community-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement and urged greater European investment in manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture, energy and healthcare.
According to the President, investments should support local production, technology transfer and job creation rather than merely expand imports.
He said the EU’s Global Gateway initiative should be used to mobilise additional affordable financing through concessional and blended financing instruments, with African enterprises taking a meaningful role in projects.
“The success of the initiative must be measured by infrastructure delivered, jobs created, technology transferred and local industries strengthened,” President Ruto said.
Digital, security and governance agenda
The President also placed digital transformation at the centre of Kenya’s engagement with the EU, saying the country is the first in Africa to establish a structured Digital Dialogue with the bloc.
The dialogue covers digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, innovation and public services. President Ruto said Kenya expects its next session later this month to advance fibre-optic connectivity and discussions on extending the Blue Raman Submarine Cable to Kenya.
He said Kenya wants to become a producer of innovation and intellectual property, rather than remain only a consumer of technology.
On regional security, President Ruto welcomed the EU’s support for African Union-led missions, including additional funding for operations in Somalia.
He said the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia continues to face financial and operational constraints, and called for sustained or increased EU support for aviation, logistics, troop sustenance, medical services and equipment.
President Ruto also acknowledged the EU’s €20 million commitment through the European Peace Facility to strengthen the Kenya Defence Forces’ operational capabilities, saying Kenya expects the support to be delivered by the end of the year.
The President further invited deeper cooperation on maritime security, intelligence-sharing and counterterrorism in the Red Sea and Horn of Africa.
As Kenya prepares for the August 2027 General Election, President Ruto said the country welcomes consultations on an EU Election Observation Mission, in line with Kenyan laws and procedures.
He also sought continued technical cooperation as Kenya works to complete outstanding reforms required for removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list and the EU high-risk list.
President Ruto said the next phase of Kenya-EU relations must be defined by shared prosperity, stronger peace and security, and expanded opportunity for citizens.
