Kenya will seek new markets for its products, investment opportunities and partnerships in energy, food security and emerging technologies at the third Russia-Africa Summit scheduled for Moscow on October 28-29.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said Kenya’s participation in the summit would focus on advancing economic and diplomatic cooperation with Russia while creating opportunities for businesses and young innovators.
Mudavadi spoke on Tuesday after hosting Russian Ambassador to Kenya Vsevolod Tkachenko at the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs headquarters. The two discussed preparations for the summit and areas of bilateral cooperation.
In a statement on his X account, Mudavadi said the government intended to translate diplomatic engagements into practical economic benefits for Kenyans.
“For Kenyans, this means pursuing new markets for businesses, stronger economic partnerships and opportunities for young innovators. Kenya’s place on the global stage must translate into real opportunities for our people,” he said.
Mudavadi said discussions with Tkachenko also covered energy, food security and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, as Kenya explores areas for deeper cooperation with Russia.
“Our discussions with Ambassador Tkachenko also focused on advancing Kenya’s interests in energy, food security and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence,” he added.
The PCS said Kenya’s economic diplomacy agenda aimed to secure investment, diversify international partnerships and support national development priorities.
The accompanying Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum will provide a platform for governments, businesses and other stakeholders to identify opportunities for cooperation.
Kenya’s participation comes as the government seeks to expand its international economic partnerships, improve access to overseas markets for Kenyan products and attract investment to support economic growth and job creation.
The talks with the Russian envoy also emphasised the need to identify mutually beneficial opportunities and explore new areas of cooperation aligned with the development priorities of both countries.
The Russia-Africa summit process was launched in October 2019 in Sochi, where Russian President Vladimir Putin and then African Union chairperson Abdel Fattah el-Sisi co-chaired the inaugural meeting.
The gathering brought together 45 heads of state and government, with Kenya represented by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The inaugural summit established a framework for structured engagement between Russia and African countries, covering politics, security, trade, science and technology, culture and humanitarian cooperation.
The second summit was held in St Petersburg on July 27-28, 2023, bringing together 17 heads of state and government to discuss expanding political, economic and humanitarian ties. Kenya was represented by its then ambassador to Russia, Benson Ogutu.
The upcoming meeting is expected to build on the previous summits, providing another opportunity for African countries and Russia to explore trade, investment and other areas of cooperation.
