President William Ruto has urged Russian investors to shift from traditional trade arrangements towards industrial partnerships that promote local value addition, technology transfer and job creation in Kenya.
Speaking at the Russia-Kenya Business Roundtable in Moscow on October 28, 2026, Ruto called for Russian capital and expertise to be combined with Kenya’s workforce, resources and access to regional markets to support mutually beneficial economic growth.
He identified energy, mining, fertilizer production, engineering and manufacturing as key sectors for collaboration, saying stronger industrial partnerships could help Kenya move beyond exporting raw materials and importing finished goods.
According to the figures presented at the meeting, bilateral trade between Kenya and Russia stood at approximately $380 million in 2025. Kenya’s exports, including tea, coffee, flowers and other produce, were valued at about $52 million, while imports from Russia, including wheat, fertilizer, iron and steel, totalled approximately $330 million.
Russian investment in Kenya was estimated at $22 million, highlighting the potential for deeper economic cooperation between the two countries.
Ruto also outlined Kenya’s investment prospects, citing economic growth of 5.3 per cent in 2025 and a gross domestic product of approximately $136 billion. He further pointed to the country’s renewable energy capacity, digital infrastructure, financial inclusion and youthful workforce as advantages for investors.
He said renewable sources accounted for about 93 per cent of Kenya’s electricity generation, creating opportunities in geothermal energy, green hydrogen and electric mobility.
The President identified agriculture and agribusiness, mining and heavy engineering as priority areas, highlighting opportunities in irrigation, mechanisation, fertilizer manufacturing, agro-processing and mineral beneficiation.
He also invited investors to explore Kenya’s infrastructure development pipeline, which he said was valued at $40 billion over the next decade.
Ruto further cited Kenya’s access to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which connects businesses to a continental market of approximately 1.5 billion people, as an advantage for companies seeking to expand across Africa.
He assured prospective investors that government agencies, including Invest Kenya and the Investment One-Stop Centre, would help streamline approvals and support project implementation.
The President’s remarks focused on strengthening trade and investment ties while encouraging partnerships that create jobs, develop local industries and increase the value of goods produced in Kenya.
