President William Ruto has stated that Kenya and South Africa are poised to deepen economic cooperation following the signing of new bilateral agreements aimed at unlocking trade opportunities and accelerating growth between the two countries.

Taking to his X account on Friday , June 5, 2026, Ruto said the two nations enjoy strong and steadily growing trade relations, but some unlocked potential still exists.

“Kenya-South Africa trade ties are strong and growing, but much still needs to be done and many opportunities and potential remain unlocked,” Ruto said.

President Ruto noted that the agreements signed during the State visit will help harmonise regulations and standards, improve infrastructure, strengthen regional and continental integration, and revitalise value chains across key sectors of the economy.

“The agreements we signed today will help us harmonise regulations and standards, foster regional and continental integration, improve infrastructure, and revitalise value chains, among other critical interventions,” Ruto said.

Financial and manufacturing powerhouses

According to Ruto, South Africa is a financial and manufacturing powerhouse in Southern Africa and Kenya is the gateway to East and Central Africa.

He added that the complementary strengths of the two economies present huge opportunities for investors and businesses seeking to expand across the continent.

“South Africa is a financial and manufacturing powerhouse in the Southern Africa region while Kenya is the gateway to East and Central Africa. That complementarity represents massive opportunities for business,” he said.

Inside new bills signed

President Ruto and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa have witnessed the signing of six new agreements on June 4, 2026.

“With President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, I witnessed the signing of six trade agreements between Kenya and South Africa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, a clear testament to our commitment to deepening bilateral ties,” Ruto stated.

Among the key trade agreements between South Africa and Kenya gender equality and empowerment, technical and vocational training, arts.

In addition, both Heads of State agreed to strengthen bilateral ties on culture and heritage, and sports and recreation.

“The new agreements cover shipping and maritime, gender equality and empowerment, technical and vocational training, arts, culture and heritage, and sports and recreation,” Ruto noted