By Issa Hussein - Reporter
Kenya, June 07, 2026 - President William Ruto left the country on Sunday for a three-nation tour of Europe, where he is expected to hold high-level talks aimed at attracting investment, expanding export markets and strengthening Kenya's economic partnerships.
The President will visit Belgium and Norway on official visits before proceeding to Finland for a State Visit, with trade, investment, green energy and economic cooperation expected to dominate discussions.
According to State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, the trip is part of Kenya's broader strategy to boost exports, create jobs and accelerate economic growth through stronger international partnerships.
In Belgium, President Ruto is scheduled to meet King Philippe and the Minister-President of Flanders, Matthias Diependaele, for discussions on bilateral trade and investment opportunities.
He will also hold talks with senior European Union leaders, including European Council President António Costa and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.
A key agenda item will be the implementation of the Kenya-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which grants Kenyan products duty-free and quota-free access to the EU market.
"The discussions will centre on implementation of the Kenya-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement, which gives Kenyan exports duty-free, quota-free access to the EU market," Hussein said.
State House said the agreement is expected to create more opportunities for Kenyan exporters, particularly in the tea, coffee, horticulture, cut flower and value-addition sectors.
The President is also expected to engage business leaders and investors on opportunities in manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and industrial value chains.
In Norway, Dr Ruto will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and meet Crown Prince Haakon.
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He is also expected to address the Kenya-Norway Business Forum, where investors from both countries will explore partnerships in renewable energy, electric mobility, climate-smart agriculture and the blue economy.
The engagements are expected to build on Kenya's efforts to position itself as a regional leader in green energy and sustainable development.
The President will conclude the tour with a State Visit to Finland at the invitation of President Alexander Stubb.
The visit follows President Stubb's State Visit to Kenya in May 2025 and is expected to deepen bilateral cooperation in several sectors.
According to the statement, while in Helsinki, Dr Ruto will participate in the Kenya-Finland Business Forum, where he will seek investments in technology, innovation, clean energy, manufacturing and value addition.
He is also scheduled to attend the Kultaranta Talks, Finland's annual foreign and security policy forum, where Africa will feature prominently on the agenda.
State House said Kenya will use the platform to advance African priorities on peace and security, sustainable development and reforms of global governance institutions.
The visit is also expected to strengthen cooperation between Kenya and Finland in education, technology, digitisation, health, environmental sustainability, peace and security.
The European tour comes as the government seeks to diversify export destinations and attract foreign direct investment into key sectors under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.