Ruto heads to South Africa for State visit as Kenya seeks deeper trade, strategic ties

President William Ruto has departed the country for a three-day State Visit to South Africa, where he is expected to hold high-level talks aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, boosting trade and investment, and advancing cooperation on regional and continental issues.

Ruto was expected to arrive in Pretoria on Wednesday evening ahead of official engagements scheduled for Thursday and Friday.

The visit, running from June 3 to 5, marks a high-level diplomatic engagement between the two countries and comes as Kenya and South Africa move to elevate their relationship into a Strategic Partnership.

On Thursday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will formally host Ruto at the Union Buildings in Pretoria for official talks covering economic cooperation, regional peace and security, continental integration and multilateral affairs.

“The strategic importance of the bilateral relations between the two countries underlines South Africa’s intentions to elevate the nature of the relationship to that of a Strategic Partnership,” South Africa's Presidency said in a statement.

The State Visit is a reciprocal engagement following previous high-level interactions between the two countries in 2021 and 2022 and reflects growing cooperation between two of Africa’s leading economies.

According to the Kenyan High Commission in Pretoria, the visit is intended to further strengthen the mutually beneficial partnership between the two nations and enhance cooperation in areas of shared interest.

“As the highest form of diplomatic engagement between sovereign states, the visit underscores the longstanding friendship, mutual respect and strong bilateral relations between Kenya and South Africa,” the mission said.

Economic relations are expected to dominate the discussions.

South Africa considers Kenya its key strategic partner in East Africa, while Kenya remains South Africa’s largest trading partner on the continent outside the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Trade between the two countries has continued to grow, with South Africa exporting goods worth approximately R11.1 billion to Kenya in 2025, while imports from Kenya stood at about R464 million.

More than 75 South African companies currently operate in Kenya in sectors including banking, telecommunications, energy, retail, logistics and hospitality.

The leaders are also expected to review progress made through the Joint Commission for Cooperation, the main framework guiding bilateral relations.

During the visit, Kenya and South Africa are expected to sign six new Memoranda of Understanding, bringing the total number of bilateral agreements between the two countries to 34.

Existing agreements cover areas such as agriculture, education, tourism, transport, defence, trade, water and sanitation.

The talks are also expected to focus on opportunities arising from the African Continental Free Trade Area, infrastructure projects including the LAPSSET Corridor, renewable energy investments and logistics development.

Following the bilateral talks, the two Heads of State will witness the signing of agreements, address a joint media briefing and later attend the South Africa-Kenya Business Forum at Gallagher Estate in Midrand.

The forum will bring together government officials and private sector leaders to explore new investment opportunities and deepen commercial ties between the two countries.

The visit is also expected to reinforce growing people-to-people relations, supported by Kenya’s 90-day visa waiver arrangement that has boosted tourism, business travel and cultural exchanges.