CS Mutahi Kagwe with a South African farm manager of Galana Kulalu Jacob Corteze/HANDOUTKenya and South Africa are set to deepen agricultural and trade relations through a new cooperation agreement expected to be signed during an upcoming high-level visit by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe to Pretoria next week.
The visit, scheduled for June 4, will bring together senior officials from both countries for talks aimed at strengthening bilateral relations.
It will also address long-standing barriers that have affected agricultural trade between the two leading African economies.
According to a statement, the discussions will focus on expanding market access for agricultural products, removing non-tariff barriers, and improving the movement of commodities across borders.
"During the engagement, Kenyan and South African officials are expected to hold talks focused on removing trade bottlenecks affecting agricultural exports and imports," the statement said.
The upcoming engagement is expected to be particularly significant in advancing these goals, as South Africa remains one of the continent’s key agricultural and economic hubs, with substantial trade potential for Kenyan farmers and agribusinesses.
During the visit, Kenyan and South African officials are expected to hold detailed discussions on trade facilitation measures, with a focus on easing restrictions that have hindered the smooth flow of agricultural goods between African countries.
A key outcome of the talks will be the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation in agriculture.
"The agreement signals a renewed commitment by the two nations to collaborate in areas such as agricultural trade, research, technology transfer, value addition, food security, and investment," it highlighted.
The planned agreement reflects a broader commitment by both nations to strengthen intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework, which seeks to reduce trade barriers and boost economic integration across the continent.
The upcoming visit by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe to South Africa coincides with President William Ruto’s State Visit to the country.
President Ruto will be in South Africa for a three-day State Visit running from Wednesday, June 3 to Friday, June 5, 2026, following an invitation from President Ramaphosa.
According to the South African Presidency, the visit underscores the long-standing, cordial and mutually beneficial relations between South Africa and Kenya, which were re-established in 1994 following the end of apartheid.
“South Africa values Kenya as a strategic partner in the East African region and the continent,” the Presidency said in a statement, highlighting the importance of the diplomatic ties between the two nations.
Against this backdrop, CS Kagwe will hold parallel discussions focused on agriculture and trade, with particular emphasis on removing non-tariff barriers that have hindered the smooth flow of agricultural goods between Kenya and South Africa.
