NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has departed for the Republic of Korea, to attend the Korea-Africa Summit in Seoul, marking a significant step in strengthening Kenya’s economic and diplomatic relations with South Korea.
This visit comes a week after President Ruto’s recent return from a four-day state visit to the United States, which faced social media criticism due to the perceived high expenses incurred.
The Korea-Africa Summit will primarily focus on trade promotion, industrialization, infrastructure development, and job creation.
“This visit signifies a crucial step in strengthening Kenya’s economic frameworks and international partnerships. The agreements and collaborations expected to emerge from this summit will propel Kenya towards its development goals,” State House said in a statement to Newsrooms.
The summit aims to address critical areas such as agricultural productivity, climate change responses, and transitioning to carbon-free energy which align with President Ruto’s roles as the African Union Champion for Institutional Reform and the Chair of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change.
President Ruto is also expected to hold bilateral talks with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, focusing on the progress of the Sh132 billion Framework Arrangement partnership established during Ruto’s visit in November 2022.
This partnership prioritizes sectors including water and irrigation, agriculture, infrastructure, and the creative economy.
New agreements worth Sh40 billion are expected to foster growth in Kenya’s creative economy sector, with an additional Sh25 billion designated for water and irrigation projects.
Kenya plans to explore South Korea’s technological advancements, particularly in the semiconductor industry and will join the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) to boost its vaccine manufacturing capabilities.
President Ruto is also expected to finalize the Labor Migration Program, potentially positioning Kenya as one of the few African nations approved for labor supply under South Korea’s Employment Permit System (EPS) Program.
This initiative is expected to create significant employment opportunities for Kenyan workers in South Korea, addressing unemployment and promoting economic growth.
