Kenya and China seal new era pact to boost trade, infrastructure and security

Kenya and China have announced a broad agreement to strengthen their partnership through increased trade, infrastructure development, and cooperation in security, health, and cultural exchanges.

The announcement followed President William Ruto’s state visit to China from April 22 to April 26, 2025, at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

During the visit, Ruto held discussions with Xi, Premier Li Qiang, and Chairman Zhao Leji of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress.

The leaders reaffirmed the historical friendship between the two countries and highlighted the deepening cooperation in areas that benefit both nations.

According to the joint statement on Thursday, the two countries are committed to enhancing their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and working towards a shared future.

“The two sides agreed that China and Kenya have enjoyed an ever stronger traditional friendship… their high-quality Belt and Road cooperation in the new era has been a fine example in promoting the Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation,” the statement read.

A key part of the talks centred on aligning Kenya’s Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda and Vision 2030 with China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

The two sides pledged to make this partnership people-centred, sustainable, and high-standard, ensuring benefits for both countries.

To boost trade and investment, China and Kenya agreed to use platforms such as the Joint Committee on Trade, Investment, Economic and Technical Cooperation and the China-Kenya Joint Working Group.

China encouraged its firms to invest in Kenya, while also promising to increase imports of Kenyan products.

Both sides also expressed interest in signing a framework agreement for a long-term economic partnership or a free trade agreement.

On infrastructure, both nations agreed to promote the development of a land-sea network connecting China and Africa, including work on the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway.

Plans are underway to strengthen cooperation between their railway authorities, and the two countries will explore the possibility of launching direct flights between their capitals.

The financial sector also received attention, with China expressing support for its financial institutions to establish a presence in Kenya. China also showed readiness to explore issuing panda bonds in Kenya, following relevant laws.

Health was another priority area, with China committing to help address Kenya’s medicine and vaccine shortages.

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“China places great importance on Kenya’s urgent needs in dealing with medicine and vaccine shortages… and will support Chinese enterprises in collaborating with the Kenyan side,” the statement said.

Kenya, in turn, promised to facilitate market access for Chinese medicine.

President Ruto also expressed support for China’s Global Development Initiative (GDI), describing it as a strong driver for achieving the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Kenya pledged to work closely with China in sectors like agriculture, education, poverty reduction, food security, and green growth. China supported investment in Kenya’s agricultural sector and agroprocessing industry.

Emerging technologies formed another pillar of the agreement. The two countries will cooperate in areas such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, the digital economy, and the development of smart cities. Kenya welcomed cooperation under China’s Global AI Governance Initiative and Global Initiative on Data Security.

On climate change, China commended Kenya for hosting the Africa Climate Summit in 2023. Both nations agreed to support the Nairobi Declaration and deepen their cooperation in green development and environmental protection.

Security was also a major focus.

Kenya welcomed China’s Global Security Initiative, and the two countries promised to promote peace and stability through dialogue and mutual respect.

“The two sides agreed that countries should stay committed to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security,” the statement said.

China reaffirmed its support for Africa’s role in solving its own problems, backing the African Union’s efforts to address security challenges.

Kenya and China will strengthen cooperation in defence, counterterrorism, joint training, and the fight against crimes such as human trafficking, cybercrime, and environmental crime.

Both countries plan to sign a memorandum of understanding between their law enforcement agencies to facilitate closer collaboration in combating transnational crimes and building law enforcement capacity.

In the cultural sector, Kenya praised China’s Global Civilisation Initiative and committed to deeper cooperation in people-to-people exchanges. They agreed to support dialogue among civilisations and uphold inclusiveness and mutual learning.

To promote cultural ties, Kenya and China will hold a joint culture and tourism season in 2025. They also pledged to support the Year of China-Africa People-to-People Exchanges in 2026.

The two sides will cement the foundation of China-Kenya friendship through people-to-people exchanges,” the statement said.

In addition, the two countries highlighted plans to expand collaboration in science, tourism, media, youth, and sports, aiming to build long-lasting bonds between their citizens.

Kenya also reaffirmed its support for China’s position on Taiwan.

“There is but one China in the world… and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China,” reads the statement.

Kenya also acknowledged that issues concerning Xinjiang and Xizang are China’s internal affairs.