NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya and Morocco have signed 11 bilateral agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation across key sectors, including agriculture, health, education, and the blue economy, in a move expected to deepen economic ties and accelerate sustainable development.
The agreements were inked in Nairobi during the inaugural Kenya–Morocco Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC), co-chaired by Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita.
In a joint statement, the two leaders said the partnership would play a critical role in addressing shared development challenges while promoting inclusive growth across both nations.
“The agreements reflect our shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and unlocking opportunities for our people,” Mudavadi said, pointing to enhanced cooperation in fisheries, aquaculture, and wildlife management as key pillars of the deal.
Among the standout agreements is a Memorandum of Understanding on higher education and academic cooperation, signed by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba. The deal outlines collaboration in scholarships, internships, academic exchanges, and joint research between Kenyan and Moroccan institutions.
“The Memorandum of Understanding provides a renewed framework for cooperation in key areas of human capital development, such as the provision of scholarships, knowledge exchange and joint research,” Ogamba said.
The agreement is expected to open new opportunities for Kenyan students seeking higher education in Moroccan universities and colleges, expanding access to international training and skills development.
Bourita said the agreements signal a deepening of ties between the two countries, anchored on mutual respect and a shared vision for sustainable development.
“We are confident that Moroccan-Kenyan relations will witness significant progress in the coming years, guided by shared priorities and a common vision,” he said.
He added that the partnership reflects broader principles of South–South cooperation and African solidarity. “Let us continue to harness the immense potential of our nations, guided by Afro-optimism and collective action,” Bourita said.
The Joint Commission also saw agreements covering justice, gender, culture, sports, diplomatic cooperation, and wildlife conservation, underscoring a comprehensive approach to bilateral engagement.
Officials from both countries indicated that efforts are underway to fast-track implementation of the agreements to ensure tangible outcomes, particularly in sectors with immediate economic and social impact.
The development comes as Kenya continues to expand its international partnerships to boost capacity building and economic transformation. Recent initiatives include collaboration with Italy to modernise 70 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions through upgraded equipment and training programmes.
The agreements also align with Kenya’s foreign policy strategy, which prioritises economic diplomacy and regional integration while leveraging partnerships to drive national development goals.
