By Abdimalik Hajir - Reporter
France, June17, 2026 - Kenya and the Republic of Korea have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with the two countries expanding cooperation in key sectors including trade, information and communication technology (ICT), energy, and agriculture.
President William Ruto met his South Korean counterpart President Lee Jae Myung on the sidelines of the G7 summit where they reviewed progress on existing agreements and mapped out new areas of collaboration.
The meeting comes following the establishment of permanent offices for the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in Nairobi, strengthening support for investment, infrastructure and development cooperation. These institutional presences signal a long-term commitment by Seoul to deepen economic ties with Nairobi beyond traditional development assistance.
"We further advanced discussions on preferential market access for Kenyan products, including tea and coffee, and explored expanding our bilateral labour arrangement to create more opportunities for Kenyans, including opening pathways for Kenyan teachers to work in South Korea," said President Ruto.
The push for preferential market access represents a significant shift in the bilateral relationship, moving from donor-recipient dynamics to reciprocal trade partnerships. Kenyan tea and coffee, among the country's top export earners, stand to benefit from reduced tariff barriers in the South Korean market.
President Ruto also welcomed the previous signing of the Agreement on the Mutual Recognition of Certificates for Seafarers between Kenya and the Republic of Korea, which will enhance employment opportunities for Kenyan seafarers in the global maritime industry. The agreement is particularly significant given Kenya's strategic location along the Indian Ocean coastline and its ambitions to become a regional maritime hub.
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On Tuesday, Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Hassan Joho witnessed the signing of the agreement, describing it as a significant milestone for Kenya's maritime sector and a major step towards strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Recognition of Certificates under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) is expected to expand employment opportunities for Kenyan maritime professionals. The STCW convention sets international standards for seafarer competence, and mutual recognition allows Kenyan-trained mariners to work on South Korean-flagged vessels without additional certification requirements.
The partnership reflects Kenya's broader strategy to diversify its international alliances beyond traditional Western and regional partners, leveraging its strategic position in East Africa to attract investment and create employment pathways for its growing workforce.