Kenya-China sign business deals worth Sh63 billion

The deals cover ICT, pharmaceutical and engineering sectors.

In Summary
  • This year, Kenya and China are marking six decades of formal diplomatic relations.
  • President Ruto said that the relations have provided a robust and enduring foundation for successful engagements.
Ken Invest CEO June Chepkemei and a Chinese official after signing deal in Beijing, China on October 17, 2023
Ken Invest CEO June Chepkemei and a Chinese official after signing deal in Beijing, China on October 17, 2023
Image: PCS

President William Ruto's hunt for public-private partnerships has borne fruit after Kenya and China signed more deals.

On Tuesday, the two states signed deals worth Sh63 billion covering ICT, pharmaceutical and engineering sectors.

The deals were signed by various people including ICT PS, an Official from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and KenInvest CEO June Chepkemei.

This was witnessed by President Ruto during the Kenya-China investment forum in Beijing.

This year, Kenya and China are marking six decades of formal diplomatic relations.

President Ruto said that the relations have provided a robust and enduring foundation for successful engagements across a broad spectrum of social, political, cultural and economic spheres of bilateral endeavour.

On Monday,  Ruto also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Kenya and Huawei that will accelerate Kenya's digital transformation. 

"Collaboration is essential for the achievement of our digital transformation agenda," he said.

He further said that Kenya's partnership with Huawei will advance ICT infrastructure and drive digitisation across key sectors like transportation, e-government, education, and health.

"This partnership is vital for Kenya's Digital Superhighway and the components of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda," Ruto added.

Also, Kenya landed a deal with China’s Energy International Group.

The agreement between Kenya and China to increase reliability, and efficiency and modernize the power system.

This underscores Kenya’s commitment to strengthening its relations with China and advancing the development of its energy infrastructure.

The signing of this agreement represented a substantial stride toward realizing Kenya’s ambition of enhancing its energy infrastructure, a crucial component for the nation’s economic advancement.

President Ruto is in the eastern economic powerhouse for a three-day state visit, accompanied by First Lady Rachel Ruto and a handful of handlers.

He is in Beijing for the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation summit, a meeting set to mark 10 years of the infrastructure initiative by President Xi.

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