President William Ruto is set to depart for Japan this evening, marking his 14th foreign trip since taking office, to participate in the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama.
In a statement issued on Monday, August 18, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed confirmed the President’s attendance at the high-level summit, which brings together African leaders and Japan’s top leadership, including Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
The conference, first launched in 1993, is one of Japan’s flagship platforms for strengthening ties with African nations, focusing on sustainable development, trade, and regional cooperation. For Kenya, the summit carries added significance given the country’s deepening economic partnership with Japan.
“Kenya’s partnership with Japan has surpassed Ksh600 billion, the largest for any African country,” Hussein Mohammed stated, emphasizing that the President’s visit will seek to expand opportunities in trade, investment, and development cooperation.
Japan has been a strategic ally for Kenya, supporting major infrastructure projects, health initiatives, and technology transfers. With Kenya positioning itself as a regional hub for innovation, renewable energy, and logistics, the discussions at TICAD are expected to explore new areas of collaboration that can unlock growth for both nations.
President Ruto is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit to further cement diplomatic and economic ties. The trip comes at a time when Kenya is actively courting global partnerships to boost foreign investment and create opportunities for local industries.
By participating in TICAD 9, President Ruto aims not only to consolidate Kenya’s relations with Japan but also to reaffirm the country’s role as a key player in Africa’s engagement with global economic powers.
