Nairobi appears to
be turning to the unlikely but increasingly strategic partner in housing, urban
development, governance innovation and green transition technologies.
The latest signal
came on Thursday, when Prime and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi held talks
with Azerbaijan’s Ambassador Sultan Hajiyev in Nairobi.
In a statement
following the meeting, Mudavadi said the talks outlined a deepening partnership
built around shared priorities in “housing, sustainable development and digital
public services”.
Additionally,
Mudavadi said the two states are preparing to collaborate closely ahead of the
World Urban Forum, which Baku will host in 2026, framing the platform as
pivotal in advancing Kenya’s efforts to secure global support for safe,
affordable and inclusive urban housing.
Housing has become
one of Ruto’s infrastructure development agenda items, aimed at modernising
cities, urban areas and generating jobs and stimulating local industries
through large-scale construction.
On the other hand,
since 2016, Baku has been undertaking a housing programme titled ‘Strategic
Roadmap for Development of Affordable Housing in the Republic of Azerbaijan’.
The initiative seeks
to make affordable houses more available to Azerbaijani people, support
economic development, raise living standards of the population, boost the
economy, create new jobs and develop the mortgage market in the country.
“It is encouraging
to see the momentum of our relationship continue to build,” Mudavadi said.
“The upcoming World
Urban Forum will deepen this collaboration even further as we push for safe,
affordable and inclusive urban housing.
“This agenda speaks
to the shared aspirations of both Kenya and Azerbaijan for a more sustainable
and equitable future.”
Azerbaijan has
emerged as an influential player in global urbanisation and governance forums,
particularly through its investment in smart city concepts and the
internationally recognised Azerbaijani Service and Assessment Network (Asan)
Service model. This is a one-stop digital public service system that has been
adopted by several countries.
Kenya has shown
interest in adapting aspects of Asan to enhance efficiency in Huduma Centres
and digitise more public services, a key pillar in Ruto’s governance reform
strategy.
The country also
sees Azerbaijan as an ally capable of opening doors into the Eurasian urban
development space, where nations are eager to showcase their rapid
modernisation.
Kenya is seeking to
secure technical expertise and project partnership and visibility for its
housing schemes at a time when the government is looking to attract affordable
financing and private-sector investment to plug gaps in its domestic programme.
Beyond housing, the
two countries examined emerging investment opportunities in tourism, energy and
digital innovation, sectors seen as potential catalysts for economic growth.
Azerbaijan’s
influential energy sector, anchored by its oil and gas wealth, has long shaped
its geopolitical clout, and Kenya is exploring avenues for broader cooperation
as it seeks to diversify energy partners and embrace green transition
technologies.
Relations between
Kenya and Azerbaijan have intensified in the recent past, with Baku
inaugurating its embassy in Nairobi in June.
