Kenya and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are looking to further strengthen their cooperation after signing at least seven new cooperation agreements.
The agreements are focused on defence, customs, and border control, among other critical sectors.
The two countries formalised a total of seven memoranda of understanding in a meeting held at the State House, Nairobi.
It comes a few months after the two countries signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in Abu Dhabi, UAE, in January.
The signing was witnessed by President William Ruto and His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates.
“We are focused on deepening diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates and delivering on our Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to ensure we strengthen economic collaboration for the mutual benefit of our two nations,” Ruto said.
“We are also strengthening security collaboration at the regional and global levels to promote peace and stability.”
In the energy sector, the agreement focuses on renewable energy, with plans to implement wind, solar, and geothermal projects, boost technical capacity, transfer technology, and accelerate the clean energy transition for greater access.
On transport, the MoU outlines a framework for cooperation in rail, aviation, and road transport, promoting joint projects, feasibility studies, investment opportunities, regulatory alignment, and enhanced infrastructure safety and innovation.
On customs, the two countries aim to improve the enforcement of laws, combat illicit trade, enhance information sharing, and streamline procedures, ultimately strengthening border control and protecting economic interests.
The two nations will also establish a Kenya-UAE Joint Business Council to foster closer business relations, deepen trade and investment links, and provide joint recommendations to both governments.
The Kenya Railways Corporation and Etihad Rail Company have formalised a partnership to advance Kenya’s railway sector, focusing on knowledge sharing, feasibility studies, testing new technologies, and exploring further areas of cooperation for industrial development.
Military cooperation commits both nations to collaborate under national laws and international obligations to boost national security, strengthen defence capacity, build institutional partnerships, and promote regional peace and stability.
by BRIAN ORUTA
