Kenyan President William Ruto has embarked on a landmark diplomatic mission to Spain and the United Kingdom, where he is expected to seal a renewed Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership and champion global finance reform in Seville, Spain.
The high-profile visit, announced by the Office of the State House Spokesperson, comes as Kenya seeks to deepen economic, technological, and security ties with the UK while positioning itself as a financial and innovation gateway to Sub-Saharan Africa.
In London, President Ruto is set to meet UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to sign the renewed Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership 2025–2030, a deal anchored on four pillars: trade, climate, technology, and security. The partnership aims to double bilateral trade by 2030, unlock billions in green finance, and generate thousands of digital jobs.
“The renewed partnership is not only about unlocking investment but also boosting Kenya’s competitiveness in the global economy,” the official statement read.
One of the headline components of the deal includes the completion of flagship infrastructure projects such as the Nairobi Railway City, a transit-oriented urban hub designed to transform the heart of the capital’s Central Business District. The UK government has committed to mobilising up to £1.5 billion in new investments across Kenya’s priority sectors by the end of the decade.
The trade and green growth pillar is also expected to support emerging sectors like digital innovation, artificial intelligence, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), according to the Kenyan presidency.
The two nations will jointly invest in Kenya’s innovation ecosystem, with a focus on start-ups and digital SMEs. This includes equipping Kenyan youth with the digital skills necessary for a modern economy and strengthening regional stability through cyber threat cooperation.
A significant element of the Kenya-UK partnership is the unlocking of green finance from public, private, and blended sources to support climate-resilient development. The deal aligns with both countries’ commitments to addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and clean energy transition.
“The science and technology agenda will fuel digitally-enabled growth, job creation, and cooperation on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies,” the statement read.
In a further boost to Kenya’s growing financial profile, Lloyd’s of London is expected to announce the establishment of a regional underwriting hub in Nairobi, under the Nairobi International Financial Centre (NIFC). The move, supported by the UK, positions Nairobi as a financial gateway for Sub-Saharan Africa.
Ruto is also scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the Africa Debate, hosted by Invest Africa, where he will present Kenya’s long-term economic transformation agenda and push for strategic investment from global partners.
Before heading to the UK, President Ruto will first attend the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, Spain. The summit brings together global leaders to define new principles for development financing.
Ruto will advocate for reforming global financial systems to respond to increasing uncertainties, such as geopolitical tensions, economic shocks, climate change, and social inequalities. His participation underscores Kenya’s growing diplomatic clout on the global stage, particularly in climate and finance governance.
“We must reimagine multilateralism for a new era of intersecting global crises,” Ruto said in advance remarks. “Our financing models must support resilience, inclusion, and sustainable growth.”
During the conference, Ruto will co-chair a high-level session and hold bilateral meetings with several Heads of State, including Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and King Felipe VI. Talks are expected to focus on clean energy, youth empowerment, and climate resilience.
Do you have any story or press releases you want to share? Send tips to editor@envestreetfinancial.com
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn to ensure you don’t miss out on any