NAIROBI– President William Ruto has departed for a high-level diplomatic and economic tour of Europe aimed at attracting foreign investment, expanding export markets for Kenyan products, and strengthening partnerships that support economic growth, job creation, and industrial development.
According to State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, the President’s engagements will include Official Visits to Belgium and Norway, as well as a State Visit to Finland, where he is expected to hold bilateral talks with heads of state, government leaders, investors, and business executives.
In Belgium, President Ruto will hold discussions with King Philippe and Minister-President of Flanders Matthias Diependaele on strengthening bilateral relations, trade, and investment cooperation. He is also expected to engage leading European business executives to showcase opportunities in value addition, manufacturing, agriculture, and logistics as Kenya seeks to increase exports and attract investment into key sectors of the economy.
The President will further hold consultations with European Union leaders, including European Council President António Costa and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.
The talks will focus on the implementation of the Kenya-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement, which grants Kenyan exports duty-free and quota-free access to the European market.
State House said the agreement is expected to unlock greater opportunities for Kenyan farmers, exporters, and manufacturers, particularly in tea, coffee, horticulture, cut flowers, and other value-added products, while enhancing Kenya’s competitiveness in international markets.
During his visit to Norway, President Ruto will meet Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and hold an audience with Crown Prince Haakon. He will also participate in the Kenya-Norway Business Forum, bringing together investors and business leaders from both countries to explore partnerships in renewable energy, electric mobility, the blue economy, climate-smart agriculture, and other sectors critical to sustainable economic growth.
The President will conclude the tour with a State Visit to Finland at the invitation of President Alexander Stubb, following the Finnish leader’s historic State Visit to Kenya in May 2025.
The visit is expected to deepen cooperation between the two countries in education, technology and digitisation, clean energy, environmental sustainability, health, peace, and security.
President Ruto will also participate in the Kenya-Finland Business Forum, where investors and industry leaders will explore opportunities in technology, innovation, manufacturing, clean energy, and value addition with the aim of attracting investment, creating jobs, and expanding economic cooperation between the two nations.
While in Finland, the President will take part in the prestigious Kultaranta Talks, an international foreign and security policy forum that brings together global leaders and policy experts.
The inclusion of Africa as a key pillar of this year’s discussions is expected to provide Kenya with an opportunity to advance the continent’s priorities on peace and security, sustainable development, and reforms to the international system.
State House said the European tour underscores Kenya’s commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships, expanding trade opportunities, and positioning the country as a leading investment destination in Africa.
