Estonia is establishing its first embassy in Sub-Saharan Africa in Nairobi, with the new mission expected to open in December 2026.
The move will make Kenya home to Estonia’s first physical diplomatic mission in the region and is expected to deepen ties between the two countries in trade, technology, digital innovation and investment.
The announcement comes as Estonia and Kenya mark 25 years of diplomatic relations, with the new embassy expected to provide a platform for expanding cooperation between the two countries.
European Union Ambassador to Kenya Andreas Peschke welcomed the development, describing the opening as a further expansion of the EU diplomatic family in Nairobi.
“EU family in Nairobi growing. Estonia is our 20th Member State to open an Embassy in Nairobi,” Peschke said.
The establishment of the mission is expected to give Estonia a permanent diplomatic presence in Kenya as it seeks to strengthen engagement with the country and the wider African region.
Estonia’s plans to establish a physical embassy in Nairobi were announced when Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid visited Nairobi five years ago, with the Baltic country identifying Kenya as an important base for advancing bilateral relations and engagement in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Estonia’s non-resident ambassador to Kenya, Daniel Erik Schaer, said the new mission would serve as a hub for expanding cooperation in areas including trade and technology.
The embassy is expected to facilitate greater interaction between Estonian and Kenyan businesses, government institutions and other stakeholders, while creating opportunities for investment and knowledge exchange.
Kenya has also welcomed Estonia’s decision to establish the mission in Nairobi.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei had earlier welcomed the move, saying the opening of the embassy would provide an opportunity to deepen relations between the two countries.
The two countries have maintained diplomatic relations for 25 years, with their cooperation extending to areas including trade, education, digitalisation and technology.
Estonia has built an international reputation for its digital governance and innovation, areas that Kenya has also identified as important to its economic transformation agenda.
The establishment of the embassy is therefore expected to create opportunities for greater cooperation in digital services, innovation and technology, while also supporting commercial ties.
Nairobi has increasingly emerged as a diplomatic hub for international organisations and foreign missions seeking to engage with Kenya and the wider African market.
The opening of Estonia’s embassy will add to the number of European Union member states with permanent diplomatic missions in the Kenyan capital.
The new mission is expected to officially open in December 2026, marking a new chapter in Kenya-Estonia relations and giving Tallinn a permanent diplomatic foothold in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The move also comes as Kenya seeks to strengthen its position as a regional centre for diplomacy, trade, technology and investment, with foreign missions increasingly using Nairobi as a base for engagement across Africa.
