METI Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yoshida Holds Meeting with H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, and Attends Kenya-Japan Business Forum

1. Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yoshida’s meeting with President Ruto

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yoshida joined a meeting between a mission visiting Japan from Kenya led by President Ruto and Mr. Ishiguro Norihiko, Chairman of JETRO. He exchanged views with President Ruto on future approaches to further revitalizing Japan-Kenya business ties and other issues. At the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation, including Samurai Bonds, between Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI) and the National Treasury and Economic Planning of Kenya. Following this, Japan explained to Kenya the progress made in efforts for the Kenya-Japan Industrial Policy Dialogue that was signed on the margins of the G7 Trade Ministers’ Meeting held in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, in October 2023, and also Japan’s contributions to Kenya’s bottom-up approach to industries, which are conducted through Japan’s support measures for Kenya’s development of human resources in the industrial field, and its efforts for enhancing value added to export products.

President Ruto showed his expectations for the future potential of Japan-Kenya cooperation at a higher level in new fields, taking advantage of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Japan-Kenya diplomatic ties. Also, he mentioned an increase in the bilateral trade volume, the utilization of renewable energy with great potential, and the launch of local procurement and employment of human resources in the manufacturing industry. The president stressed that using these efforts as a foothold, Kenya will enhance collaboration with Japanese companies to expand business not only in Kenya but also with other countries far from Japan. Moreover, he welcomed the agreement on the establishment of the Kenya-Japan Industrial Policy Dialogue and stated his expectations for the advancement of dialogue in the future.

  

2. Overview of the Kenya-Japan Business Forum

Kenya has been attracting attention as a business gateway to Africa, backed by its geographical advantage of facing the Indian Ocean and having good access to sub-Saharan countries. In this forum, representatives of Japanese companies already developing business in Kenya held presentations on their local activities and future perspectives, while representatives of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) from Kenya delivered speeches outlining their activities and presented their expectations for Japan. Moreover, H.E. Ms. Rebecca Miano, Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade and Industry, and H.E. Mr. Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Kenya, gave speeches. Following this, President Ruto delivered a keynote speech, which was followed by a Q&A session.

3. Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yoshida’s delivery of his remarks and a ceremony held for exchanging an MoU on cooperation between NEXI and the National Treasury and Economic Planning of Kenya

At the beginning of his remarks, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yoshida expressed his condolences for the victims of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake and his sympathy to the people affected by the disaster. Also, he mentioned the current state of Japanese companies’ business development in Kenya, the leading roles they play there, and their collaboration with local companies. Moreover, he stated that the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), in collaboration with the Government of Kenya, will continue to provide support to Japanese companies advancing business in this country. Following this, in the presence of Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yoshida, President Ruto, Cabinet Secretary Miano, and other officials, a ceremony was held for exchanging an MoU to strengthen cooperation, including Samurai Bonds, between NEXI and the National Treasury and Economic Planning of Kenya.

4. President Ruto’s delivery of a keynote speech

At the beginning of his speech, President Ruto expressed his sympathy to the people affected by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. He stated that the population in Africa has been growing, and that by 2050, one in four of the world's population is expected to be African, and that this will become a dynamo to expand African markets in the future. He also expressed that young people, who make up 20% of the African population, will become an innovative and promising workforce in the future if they receive education and training and also that investments in the fields of food, dam construction, and agriculture are significant. Following the keynote speech, representatives of Japanese companies actively asked President Ruto some questions, and the president personally responded to them.

Division in Charge

Africa Office, Middle East and Africa Division, Trade Policy Bureau