Kenya is seeking to unlock new trade, investment and employment opportunities through stronger ties with Australia following a high-level visit by Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Dr. Korir Sing’Oei.
Sing’Oei concluded a visit to Australia under the country’s prestigious Special Visitors Programme (SVP), an invitation extended only to leaders Canberra considers strategic partners, signalling Kenya’s growing importance as a key African partner.
The visit comes as Kenya seeks to diversify its international partnerships beyond traditional allies while attracting investments that support its economic transformation agenda.
Australia’s expertise in mining, renewable energy, agriculture, higher education and digital technology presents opportunities for Kenya to strengthen key sectors of its economy.
During the visit, Sing’Oei held talks with officials from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Austrade, industry leaders and the University of Technology Sydney. The discussions focused on expanding trade and investment, strengthening research partnerships and promoting skills development to create jobs and economic opportunities for Kenyans.
The two countries also explored ways of deepening education partnerships and labour mobility programmes that could open more opportunities for Kenyan students and professionals.
An estimated 35,000 Kenyans live in Australia, working in sectors such as healthcare, engineering, information technology, academia and entrepreneurship. Kenyan officials described the diaspora as a key driver of stronger commercial ties, investment and knowledge transfer between the two countries.
Beyond economic cooperation, Kenya and Australia reaffirmed their shared commitment to regional peace and security as Indian Ocean states and founding members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). Discussions covered maritime security, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, counter-terrorism and defence cooperation, areas viewed as critical to protecting regional stability and trade routes.
A key highlight of the visit was Sing’Oei’s lecture at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, where he called for reforms to the global financial system to make it more responsive to Africa’s development needs.
The Foreign Affairs PS urged Australia to support Africa through technical cooperation on guarantee and blended-finance instruments, closer collaboration on multilateral reforms and increased Australian investment in African-led institutions.
“My ask to the Government of Australia is for partnership of a particular kind. Technical exchange on how you design your guarantee and blended-finance instruments, so that Africa-led vehicles can learn from what has worked in your region. Coordinated positioning between our two governments in the multilateral reform conversation, where middle powers are most effective when they move together, and an honest exploration of where Australian risk capital and Australian expertise might sit alongside African institutions,” Sing’Oei said.
During a reception hosted by Kenya’s High Commissioner to Australia, Amb. Dr Wilson Kogo, Sing’Oei also rallied support for Kenya’s candidates seeking election to two international judicial bodies: Prof. Phoebe Okowa for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and Lady Justice Njoki Ndungu for the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The visit underscores Kenya’s broader foreign policy strategy of leveraging diplomatic engagements to attract investment, expand market access, create employment opportunities and position the country as an influential player in regional and global affairs.
