Kenya is strengthening its ties with Egypt in a renewed push to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, and people-to-people relations.
This growing partnership was on full display during Egypt’s National Day
celebrations held in Nairobi, where Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi
reaffirmed the two countries’ commitment to shared development goals.
“Trade between Kenya and Egypt has been on an
upward trajectory, with the total trade volume estimated at between 600 million
and 700 million US Dollars in 2025,” Mudavadi said.
“Notably, Egypt is Kenya’s second largest tea market in the world.”
Speaking at the residence of the Egyptian
Ambassador during the 105th anniversary of Egypt’s independence, Mudavadi
described the visit by President William Ruto to Egypt in January as historic.
“The State Visit by President Ruto to
Egypt in January 2025 was historic, marking the first State Visit by a Kenyan
President to Egypt. Our two Heads of State made a commitment when they jointly
witnessed the signing of 12 Memoranda of Understanding in various fields,” he
noted.
That visit, he said, laid the foundation for
what is now a strategic and comprehensive partnership, guided by a joint
declaration signed between President Ruto and President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Egypt's Ambassador to Kenya, Wael Nasreldin, making the address in Nairobi.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary, who also heads the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, highlighted the significance of the long-standing relationship between the two countries.
“Our mission in Cairo is Kenya’s
second diplomatic post to be established abroad. This milestone reflects the
depth of our historical, cultural, and economic bonds, as well as our shared
commitment to cooperation and mutual prosperity,” he said.
Mudavadi noted that Kenya is home to several
Egyptian businesses, while Egypt hosts a vibrant Kenyan diaspora that includes
professionals, students, entrepreneurs, and skilled workers. These exchanges,
he added, have enriched the ties between ordinary citizens of the two nations.
Ambassador Wael Nasreldin Attiya, who is
concluding his tour of duty in Nairobi, also spoke at the event.
“Our imports from Kenya amount to almost 14% of the total exports of Kenyan
tea,” he said.
“On the investment side, a number of new Egyptian investments are flocking
to Kenya, with 76 Egyptian companies now registered with Kenya Invest.”
According to Mudavadi, Egypt is a critical
regional partner for Kenya, particularly in areas such as education, technical
training, health, agriculture, tourism, and cultural exchanges.
He outlined efforts underway to
implement the 12 memoranda of understanding signed in January.
These agreements span political consultations, diplomatic training, foreign service capacity building, and investment cooperation.
He said other areas of collaboration include gender equality, youth empowerment, maritime partnerships between Kenya’s Lamu Port and Egypt’s Alexandria and Red Sea Port Authorities, as well as joint initiatives in higher education, space research, ICT, governance, housing, and sustainable development.
“Kenya and Egypt’s active participation in regional
frameworks such as the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) reflect our commitment to
advancing economic integration and boosting intra-African trade in alignment
with the African Union’s Agenda 2063,” said Mudavadi.
Ambassador Attiya also pointed to the growing
financial links between the two countries.
“The Commercial International Bank, CIB, is Egypt’s largest private bank and
it now operates seven branches in Kenya under its own branch name, CIB-Kenya,
reflecting the political will to intensify and further deepen economic and
commercial ties with Kenya and the commitment to support Kenya’s development
plans,” he said.
Mudavadi further acknowledged the shared
interests of the two countries in promoting peace and stability across the
region.
He said Kenya and Egypt continue to
play a constructive role in conflict resolution efforts in countries such as
Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Libya, and across the Sahel.
“These efforts are achievable through active
participation in African Union–led missions, and in close collaboration with
the United Nations in championing for African-led solutions to African
challenges,” he stated.
As the celebrations also marked Ambassador
Attiya’s farewell, Mudavadi expressed heartfelt appreciation for the outgoing
envoy’s contribution to deepening bilateral relations.
“Under Ambassador Attiya’s stewardship, we
witnessed the successful State Visit of His Excellency President William Ruto
to Egypt in January 2025. He also oversaw the convening of the 7th Session of
the Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) in Nairobi in March 2024,” said
Mudavadi.
He described the ambassador as a trusted
friend of Kenya and praised his work in promoting economic diplomacy.
“Amb. Attiya distinguished himself as
a dedicated champion of economic diplomacy and further, under his leadership,
business engagements between Kenya and Egypt grew significantly, as exemplified
by the successful Kenya–Egypt Business Forum held alongside the Joint
Commission for Cooperation in March 2024,” Mudavadi remarked.
