NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has left for a State Visit to the People’s Republic of China, where he is set to engage in high-level talks aimed at boosting trade, investment, and infrastructure cooperation between the two nations.
The visit comes as part of Kenya’s ongoing efforts to deepen its partnership with China, particularly in the areas of economic development and regional connectivity.
Since the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2017, Kenya has been recognized as China’s leading Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner in Africa.
This partnership has already led to transformative infrastructure projects such as the Standard Gauge Railway and the Nairobi Expressway, which have significantly enhanced Kenya’s economic landscape.
While in Beijing, President Ruto will hold bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
These discussions will focus on advancing shared priorities in sustainable development, industrial growth, and trade.
A key part of the visit will be the Kenya-China Business Forum, where over 100 companies from both countries will explore new opportunities for collaboration in various sectors including trade, digital innovation, and industrial development.
One of the highlights of President Ruto’s visit will be the inauguration of the Kenya Tea Holding Centre in China’s Fujian Province.
The Centre, located in one of China’s key tea regions, is expected to bolster the visibility and market access of Kenyan tea, support smallholder farmers, and strengthen Kenya’s agricultural exports to Asia.
President Ruto is also scheduled to deliver a keynote address at Peking University, where he will emphasize Africa’s vision for inclusive growth, leadership, and the importance of deeper South-South cooperation.
This State Visit underscores Kenya’s commitment to deepening its economic ties with China and expanding its trade footprint in Asia.
President Ruto’s engagement with Chinese leadership is expected to not only enhance Kenya’s trade and investment opportunities but also contribute to building a robust industrial and logistics hub for East Africa.
In addition to these business-focused discussions, President Ruto will engage with Chinese leadership on regional peace and security issues, particularly in the Greater Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Region.
The visit is a significant step toward ensuring stronger multilateral cooperation between Kenya, China, and the broader African continent.
