Kenya, Portugal seek to boost trade and investment

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Portugal’s Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel/HANDOUT

Kenya and Portugal have moved to strengthen economic ties following high-level bilateral talks in Nairobi, with both countries seeking to boost trade volumes and unlock new investment opportunities across key sectors.

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said the discussions with Portugal’s Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel focused on expanding trade and deepening cooperation, noting that current trade levels between the two countries remain low.

“Notably, our trade volumes have historically been low; consequently, Kenya and Portugal recognise the imperative to maximise the immense potential that exists between our two economies,” Mudavadi said.

The two countries agreed to enhance collaboration between trade institutions, including ministries and business councils, and to promote joint forums and trade missions aimed at connecting investors and enterprises.

Kenya is also positioning itself as a regional hub for Portuguese investors seeking access to African markets, with Mudavadi highlighting the country’s strategic location and connectivity.

“Kenya is strategically positioned as the gateway to East and Central Africa. In this context, we invite Portuguese investors to choose Nairobi as their anchor for investment in the wider African market,” he said.

He noted that Kenya offers access to a combined market of more than 300 million people within the East African Community, as well as the broader African Continental Free Trade Area, which spans over 1.3 billion consumers.

The talks also explored ways of leveraging existing frameworks, such as the Kenya-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement, to accelerate trade and economic growth between the two countries.

Beyond trade, both countries identified the blue economy as a key area of cooperation, with plans to expand partnerships in sustainable fisheries, marine conservation, maritime transport and ocean governance.

The discussions build on earlier collaboration, including joint participation in the 2022 United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon, and come ahead of the Our Ocean Conference 2026 set to be held in Mombasa.

“We have to work towards protecting oceans from threats of pollution and climate change. This is part of the progress in advancing sustainable food security,” Rangel said.

Labour mobility also featured in the talks, with both sides noting the recent opening of a Portuguese visa processing centre in Nairobi as a step towards easing movement between the two countries.

“Kenya and Portugal agreed to continue exploring mutually beneficial frameworks that facilitate skills mobility and protect the rights and welfare of our citizens abroad,” Mudavadi said.

At the multilateral level, the two countries expressed alignment on the need for reforms in global institutions, including the United Nations Security Council and the international financial system, to better address emerging challenges such as climate change, regional conflicts and debt vulnerabilities.

Climate and energy cooperation also formed part of the discussions, with both sides committing to strengthen collaboration in renewable energy development, climate financing and nature-based solutions.

“The ocean agenda, climate action and financing are a top priority for us. We want to deepen dialogue and investment in Africa, building partnerships that will help us have a credible voice in global debates,” Rangel said.

Security cooperation remains another pillar of the partnership, with Kenya and Portugal reaffirming their commitment to diplomacy and joint efforts to address instability in regions such as the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes.

Mudavadi acknowledged Portugal’s role in United Nations peacekeeping missions, particularly in South Sudan, noting that such engagements are critical in promoting regional stability.

“Kenya appreciates Portugal’s active engagement in international peacekeeping, including missions in Africa,” he said.

Both countries said they will continue engaging the private sector to support the implementation of agreed initiatives, signalling a push to translate the discussions into tangible economic outcomes.