Kenya, Malaysia sign landmark deals to boost trade, tourism and technology cooperation
Among the measures agreed upon are the elimination of tariffs on Kenyan agricultural produce and beef, a move aimed at boosting the country’s exports and strengthening bilateral trade.
Kenya has signed several key agreements with Malaysia, opening new avenues for trade, tourism and technology cooperation.
Speaking on Monday during the state visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, President William Ruto said the partnerships mark a historic step in Kenya-Malaysia relations. Among the measures agreed upon are the elimination of tariffs on Kenyan agricultural produce and beef, a move aimed at boosting the country’s exports and strengthening bilateral trade.
More To Read
- Kenya courts Malaysia’s economic lessons as PM Anwar makes first official visit
- AirAsia X's exit leaves Kenya and Malaysia without direct flight link
- Kenyans warned against fake job agencies exploiting Malaysia 30-day visa-free policy
- Malaysia says it will resume search for wreckage of Flight MH370 missing for 10 years
- Malaysian state converts Ramadan food waste into fertiliser
While welcoming the move, Ruto reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to removing tariff and non-tariff barriers, expanding exports to Malaysia, and deepening cooperation in digital technology and high-tech manufacturing.
“We welcome Your Excellency’s agreement to the elimination of tariffs on agricultural produce and beef, a significant step that will open new market opportunities for Kenyan farmers and strengthen the commercial foundation of our partnership,” he said.
He highlighted the current trade profile, noting that Kenya’s main exports to Malaysia include tea, coffee, flowers, avocados and titanium ores, while imports from Malaysia comprise edible oils and fats, chemical products, electronics, agricultural chemicals and rubber.
“This profile underscores the importance and the potential of broadening our commercial ties,” Ruto said.
The state visit also culminated in the signing of key cooperation instruments. These included a Bilateral Air Services Agreement to expand connectivity, ease travel and boost trade and tourism; a Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism Cooperation to strengthen two-way tourism, investment, and joint destination marketing; and a Letter of Intent on the twinning of Nairobi and Kuala Lumpur to enhance city-level cooperation in urban planning, technology, and service delivery.
Additionally, an MoU between the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the National Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Malaysia was signed to deepen private-sector partnerships and unlock new business opportunities.
“Together, these instruments mark the beginning of a broader and deeper strategic partnership for mutual benefit,” Ruto said.
The President noted that the visit comes at a defining moment for Kenya as the country advances a new national roadmap inspired by the experience of Malaysia and other Asian Tigers.
“In our discussions, we agreed that Malaysia will explore partnerships and investments across our priority areas, including collaboration in STEM and in research and development. The Prime Minister will engage with key education stakeholders as part of this effort,” he said.
Ruto also highlighted plans to strengthen Kenya’s semiconductor sector as part of human capital development and industrialisation. He noted that through a strategic partnership, Malaysia will support Kenya to grow and expand its semiconductor technology and manufacturing capabilities, including with Kimathi University, already a leader in this field.
The President further invited Malaysian private-sector actors to participate in public–private partnerships in Kenya, including road network expansion through tolling, power generation and expansion under PPP arrangements, and dam construction.
“We encouraged Malaysian companies to take advantage of Kenya as a manufacturing hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area,” Ruto said.
On regional peace, security, and multilateral cooperation, the two leaders exchanged views and acknowledged Malaysia’s efforts in East Asia alongside Kenya’s peace initiatives in East Africa and the Horn of Africa. They also expressed support for US interventions in Sudan, which Ruto said has escalated into a humanitarian crisis.
The Head of State further highlighted Kenya and Malaysia’s shared commitment to reforming global governance structures, including the United Nations and the international financial system. Ruto stressed that Africa, with its 54 countries and 1.4 billion people, deserves two permanent seats on the UN Security Council with full rights, including veto power.
“We reaffirmed our shared commitment to the reform of the global financial architecture and the reform of the United Nations. Africa demands two permanent seats on the UN Security Council with full rights, including the power of veto, as well as two additional non-permanent seats. With 54 countries and a population of 1.4 billion people, it is both unfair and undemocratic for the continent to remain excluded from the world’s top decision-making body. I conveyed our appreciation to Malaysia for supporting the upgrade and expansion of the UN Office in Nairobi, the only such UN headquarters presence in the Global South,” he said.
He added that international financial architecture must be democratised to ensure Africa and the wider Global South access concessional financing at scale, as members of the Global North do.
“Your Excellency, your presence in Nairobi is a powerful affirmation that Kenya’s ambition meets Malaysia’s experience at exactly the right moment. As we rise, we draw inspiration from nations like yours that embraced bold ambition over limitation and chose excellence. Kenya now stands ready to take its place among them,” Ruto said.
On his part, PM Anwar praised Ruto for his leadership and commitment to poverty alleviation, highlighting their shared focus on improving living conditions for the less privileged. He commended Ruto’s affordable housing initiative, noting it as a strong example of leadership that uses power to serve the people. He described the project as a demonstration of Ruto’s dedication to addressing social needs while upholding the legacy of the Kenyatta struggle to support citizens.
“One aspect that is also particularly exciting for me, because I am, like you, very passionate about poverty alleviation, is housing for the poor, for the masses. And when I learned this ambitious program over 150,000 units of housing, affordable housing and housing for the poor, I mean, this exemplifies the spirit of remarkable leadership, not only serving for power, but also making sure that the power is utilised fully in the dual spirit of the Kenyatta struggle to champion and assist your people,” he said.
The Prime Minister also called for closer cooperation between Malaysia and Kenya, saying there is no reason for the two countries not to strengthen bilateral relations and boost trade and investment opportunities. He stressed that collaboration would benefit both nations and pave the way for greater economic and social development.
Anwar’s state visit, the first by a Malaysian prime minister in nearly two decades, coincides with the 60th anniversary of Kenya-Malaysia diplomatic relations.
Top Stories Today
