Spain and Kenya deepen bilateral relations and extend trade cooperation

In an international context where the EU has recently stressed the need to intensify relations between Europe and Africa, this is the first time that a president of the Government of Spain has officially visited Kenya, a priority country in Spain's foreign policy towards Sub-Saharan Africa, as reflected in the III Africa Plan (2019), the Horizon Africa Strategy (2020) and the Africa Focus 2023.

Kenya's is one of the most stable and solid democracies in the region, displaying significant political leadership and playing an important role in stabilisation and peace in the wider Horn of Africa and East Africa. Its political and economic proximity to the West has also meant it has established itself as the political, economic and logistical centre of the east of Africa and the largest economy in East Africa.

Presidents Sánchez and Ruto agreed on the desire for Spain and Kenya to deepen the framework of their bilateral relations, in which there is great potential for developing close collaboration.

In this regard, the two countries have adopted a Joint Declaration, which Pedro Sánchez said he was "particularly satisfied with it, because it lays the foundations for giving a new impetus to our relations". Two Memoranda of Understanding have also been signed in the areas of health and education.

Trade and investment

Meeting between the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, the President of Kenya, William Ruto, and the delegations of each country | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

The President of the Government of Spain is accompanied on this tour by the Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, together with a large delegation of representatives of world-leading Spanish companies in their respective sectors - energy transition, water, railways, infrastructures, among others - who see Kenya as a country where they can prosper, with great economic potential and significant trade and investment opportunities.

Pedro Sánchez has held a meeting with Spanish companies that have already been present in Kenya for some time, and who have a declared vocation to remain there and to continue contributing to the development and prosperity of the country.

This visit shows the government's support for our companies in the area and "Spain's commitment to strengthening economic relations between the two countries," stressed President Sánchez.

While bilateral trade flows have shown a growth trend over the last decade, there is ample room for improvement, particularly regarding investment.

"I have no doubt that the renewal of the current Financial Protocol, which will be addressed by the two countries, will be important for this improvement, will add new funds to the remaining funds and will modernise the existing financing instruments, thereby facilitating the implementation of projects of priority interest in Kenya by Spanish companies," said the president.

Multilateralism and global challenges

Spain and Kenya share a marked multilateral vocation. The country's capital, Nairobi, is the only city on the African continent with UN headquarters, which President Sánchez visited and where he met with the head of the organisation, Zainab Haiwa Bangura. Pedro Sánchez has been invited to sign the Golden Book and has respected the tradition of planting a tree in its facilities.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, talks with Zainab Hawa Bangura, director of the United Nations Office at Nairobi after planting a tree in its gardens | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

Kenya is committed to both regional integration processes, particularly the Community of East African States, and to peace processes on the continent (particularly in Ethiopia and the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo).

Pedro Sánchez and William Ruto also discussed the global challenges currently facing the international community, including those arising from the war in Ukraine, such as the worsening of food security, rising commodity prices and the energy crisis.

Climate change is another of the most pressing and alarming threats. The two leaders agreed that both Spain and Kenya are exposed to extreme weather events, including droughts. After being invited by President Sánchez, President Ruto announced that Kenya will join the International Alliance for Drought Resilience, which Spain and Senegal will launch at the next Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). (COP 27).

The two presidents also agreed on the defence of an international order based on rules, respectful of the values and principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter - such as the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states - and the protection of human rights, all of which are essential for peaceful coexistence between countries.

In this regard, President Sánchez wanted to highlight "the important role that Kenya is playing as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council" in reiterating the call for a peaceful resolution of the war in Ukraine.

Last, the President of the Government of Spain visited the Industrial Research Institute for Development in Kenya, where Spain has promoted and financed a project that boosts the empowerment of women through entrepreneurship, one of the priority lines of Spanish cooperation.

The presidents ended by pointed out that "peace, stability and prosperity in Africa will only be possible if African women are brought into the equation, hence the importance of promoting this type of project."

Non official translation