By Linet Amuli - Reporter
Kenya, 11 November 2025 - President William Ruto has opened fresh talks with investors from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aimed at accelerating Kenya’s infrastructure growth through private-public partnerships.
During a high-level meeting at State House, Nairobi, on Monday, November 10, President Ruto met a delegation from Sharjah led by Abdulla Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI). The discussions centered on investment opportunities in key sectors such as road construction, port and airport expansion, energy generation, and water resource development.
Ruto revealed that Kenya plans to expand its energy generation capacity to 10,000 megawatts within the next seven years and construct 1,500 kilometers of dual carriageways. He added that the government is seeking UAE support to deliver an additional 10,000 kilometers of tarmacked roads and develop 50 mega dams through PPP arrangements to strengthen irrigation systems and enhance food security.
“Our discussions focused on scaling up trade and investment cooperation between Kenya and the UAE, particularly in infrastructure and energy. We are committed to establishing long-term partnerships that drive development, create jobs, and improve the country’s competitiveness,” President Ruto stated after the meeting.
The talks also touched on digital economy and creative industry collaborations, areas in which Kenya’s youthful population is expected to play a central role.
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The engagement aligns with ongoing efforts under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which seeks to enhance trade and investment flows between the two nations. According to 2024 trade data, Kenya–UAE trade totaled $3.2 billion (Ksh413.4 billion), with imports valued at $2.5 billion, mainly petroleum and energy products, and exports worth $759 million, including minerals, meat, fruits, and flowers.
The renewed talks with Sharjah come shortly after Ruto’s diplomatic outreach in Qatar, where he discussed plans for the Ksh200 billion expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). The project aims to modernize the country’s main aviation hub through external financing and technical support.
During his Qatar visit, President Ruto also announced that 13,000 new job opportunities had been secured for Kenyan youth, alongside the establishment of a Qatari visa center to streamline labor mobility programs.
By deepening economic engagement with Gulf nations, Ruto’s administration hopes to fast-track infrastructure delivery, attract foreign capital, and boost employment across strategic sectors.
