President William Ruto has signed a landmark trade agreement with Malaysia, removing barriers for Kenyan exporters and strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations. The signing coincided with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to State House, commemorating 60 years of Kenya-Malaysia diplomatic ties.
Under the agreement, Kenyan producers of tea, coffee, flowers, avocados, titanium ores, and beef will benefit from the removal of tariffs, a move President Ruto described as “especially significant given the state of current trade.”
Currently, Kenya exports key commodities such as tea, coffee, flowers, avocados, titanium ores, and beef to Malaysia, while importing edible oils, chemical products, electronics, agricultural chemicals, and rubber. The new deal aims to balance this trade relationship, increasing Kenyan exports while reducing import costs from Malaysia.
The agreement also includes an air service pact to improve connectivity between Nairobi and Kuala Lumpur, facilitating easier travel for traders and tourists alike. In addition, the two leaders signed a letter of intent to twin the cities of Nairobi and Kuala Lumpur, focusing on collaboration in urban planning, technology, and service delivery.
Private sector engagement will be strengthened through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and its Malaysian counterpart. This partnership is expected to deepen business collaboration and create new trade opportunities.
President Ruto also highlighted plans for Malaysia to support initiatives in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), research, innovation, and education. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to meet Kenyan education stakeholders to discuss further collaboration.
The deal further targets expansion in digital technology and high-tech manufacturing sectors, signaling a broader vision for long-term strategic cooperation.
President Ruto described the agreement as “the beginning of broader and deeper strategic partnerships for mutual benefit,” emphasizing Kenya’s commitment to leveraging international partnerships to boost economic growth and global competitiveness.
