President William Ruto left the country on Sunday afternoon for a three-country tour of Europe as Kenya seeks to expand export markets, attract investment, and strengthen economic partnerships with key European nations.
The visit will take the President to Belgium, Norway, and Finland, where he is scheduled to hold meetings with heads of state, government officials, business leaders, and investors. According to State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed, the trip is focused on increasing market access for Kenyan products, attracting investment, and creating opportunities that can support economic growth and jobs.
The first stop on the tour is Belgium, where President Ruto will meet King Philippe and Flanders Minister-President Matthias Diependaele. Discussions are expected to focus on trade, investment, and strengthening relations between Kenya and Belgium. He will also hold talks with European Council President António Costa and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.
A major agenda item during the Belgium visit will be the implementation of the Kenya-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement.
The agreement allows Kenyan exports to enter European markets without duties or quotas, creating opportunities for products such as tea, coffee, cut flowers, and horticultural produce.
The government believes the deal can help local exporters reach more consumers and increase earnings from international trade.
From Belgium, President Ruto will travel to Norway, where he will meet Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Crown Prince Haakon. Their discussions will focus on renewable energy, climate action, and the blue economy. The President will also participate in the Norway Business Forum, which brings together investors and business leaders from both countries.
The forum is expected to explore opportunities in electric mobility, clean energy, and climate-smart agriculture. Kenya hopes the engagements will encourage new investments and partnerships that support sustainable development.
The final leg of the tour will be in Finland, where President Alexander Stubb will host President Ruto for a State Visit. The visit follows President Stubb’s trip to Nairobi in May 2025 and is expected to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
Kenya and Finland are expected to sign agreements covering education, technology, health, clean energy, and peace and security cooperation. The two leaders will also attend the Kenya-Finland Business Forum, which will focus on technology, manufacturing, innovation, and value addition.
President Ruto will also address the Kultaranta Talks, a high-level forum on foreign and security policy where Africa is among the key topics of discussion this year.
The European tour comes only days after President Ruto returned from South Africa, where he and President Cyril Ramaphosa signed six bilateral agreements aimed at boosting trade, addressing trade imbalances, and strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
Kenyan officials hope the latest engagements in Europe will further support the country’s economic agenda and open new opportunities for trade and investment.