NAIROBI, Kenya—President William Ruto has embarked on a multi-nation tour of Europe aimed at strengthening Kenya’s trade relations, attracting foreign investment and expanding market opportunities for Kenyan products.
The President departed Nairobi on Sunday afternoon for official visits to Belgium and Norway before concluding the trip with a State Visit to Finland.
According to State House, the visit is part of Kenya’s broader economic diplomacy strategy focused on boosting exports, creating jobs and securing investments in key sectors of the economy.
State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said President Ruto will engage government leaders, investors and business executives in discussions aimed at unlocking opportunities in manufacturing, agriculture, value addition and logistics.
In Belgium, President Ruto is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with King Philippe and Flanders Minister-President Matthias Diependaele to discuss ways of enhancing trade, investment and cooperation between Kenya and Belgium.
The Head of State will also meet senior European Union officials, including European Council President António Costa and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.
A key agenda item during the meetings will be the implementation of the Kenya-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which grants Kenyan exports duty-free and quota-free access to the European market.
The government expects the agreement to expand opportunities for Kenyan exporters, particularly in the tea, coffee, horticulture and flower industries, which remain among the country’s leading foreign exchange earners.
Belgium serves as a strategic gateway to the European market and hosts some of the continent’s key political and economic institutions, making it an important partner in Kenya’s trade expansion efforts.
In Norway, President Ruto will hold consultations with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and meet Crown Prince Haakon as the two countries seek to deepen cooperation in sustainable development and green growth.
The President will also attend the Kenya-Norway Business Forum, where investors from both countries are expected to explore partnerships in renewable energy, electric mobility, climate-smart agriculture and the blue economy.
The sectors have been identified as critical to Kenya’s long-term economic transformation agenda and efforts to create employment opportunities for young people.
Ruto’s European tour will conclude in Finland, where he will hold bilateral talks with President Alexander Stubb aimed at strengthening cooperation in education, technology, digitisation, clean energy, healthcare and environmental sustainability.
The visit follows President Stubb’s historic State Visit to Kenya in May 2025, which laid the groundwork for enhanced cooperation between the two nations.
While in Helsinki, President Ruto will participate in the Kenya-Finland Business Forum, bringing together government officials and private sector leaders to explore investment opportunities in technology, innovation, manufacturing and value addition.
The President is also expected to take part in the prestigious Kultaranta Talks, an international forum that brings together global leaders and policymakers to discuss foreign policy, security and emerging international challenges.
The European tour underscores Kenya’s continued push to leverage international partnerships to drive economic growth, expand export markets and position the country as a leading investment destination in Africa.
