[PHOTOS] Kenya, UAE strengthen ties through CEPA framework

The renewed partnership under CEPA signals a defining step in Kenya–UAE relations.

by JOY IRUNGU

In-pictures11 November 2025 - 10:00

In Summary

Kenya is set to deepen its economic ties with the UAE under CEPA, focusing on trade, investment, and job creation.
The deal under CEPA is the first of its kind, underlining Kenya’s role as a gateway to East and Southern Africa.

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*President William Ruto hosts a delegation from UAE at State House, Nairobi/PCS*

Kenya is set to deepen its economic ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), focusing on trade, investment, and job creation.

President William Ruto on Monday hosted a delegation from Sharjah, led by Abdulla Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

*President William Ruto hosts a high-level delegation from Sharjah, UAE, led by Abdulla Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, at State House Nairobi/PCS*

The visit aimed to strengthen partnerships in key sectors, including infrastructure, energy, ICT, and agriculture.

Kenya outlined ambitious development goals, including expanding energy production to 10,000 megawatts in the next seven years, constructing 1,500km of dual carriage highways and 10,000km of tarmac roads, modernizing ports and airports, and building 50 mega dams to support irrigation and food security.

*President William Ruto hosts Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry Chairman Abdulla Sultan Al Owais at State House, Nairobi/PCS*

President William Ruto stated that, "we are also strengthening collaboration in the ICT, digital and creative sectors, leveraging Kenyan's tech-savvy youth."

The two parties also discussed deepening collaboration in the digital economy and creative industries, with Kenya positioning its youth-driven innovation as a competitive advantage in the global tech space.

*President Ruto hosts a delegation from UAE at State House, Nairobi/PCS*

President Ruto reiterated that Kenya is ready to work with UAE investors to deliver on these transformative projects through public-private partnerships.

Kenya’s ICT sector has grown significantly expanding about 23 per cent annually over the past decade and is becoming a preferred investment destination for data-centres and cloud services.

Kenyan exports to the UAE include meat (Sh9.9 billion in 2023), fruits (Sh5.2 billion), vegetables and flowers (Sh5.6 billion).

Trade between Kenya and the UAE has more than doubled in the past decade; in 2023 the total reached Sh445 billion, with the UAE ranking as Kenya’s sixth-largest export destination and second-largest import source.

The deal under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is the first of its kind between the UAE and a mainland African country, underlining Kenya’s role as a gateway to East and Southern Africa.

Kenya’s strategic geographic position, its growing digital economy, and its ambition to expand infrastructure (ports, airports, energy, roads) make it a high-priority partner for UAE investors seeking access to the African market.

CEPA is not just about trade in goods, but also services, technology, digital trade, regional value chains and sustainability.

The partnership supports Kenya’s “Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA)”, aligning foreign investment, technology transfer and infrastructure development with wider economic and social goals.

The MoUs and CEPA open doors for Kenya’s youth and tech-savvy population to participate in digital, creative and innovation sectors with UAE partnership.