Kenya deepens talks with Japan on transport and energy transition
By Faith Lagat, April 10, 2026Kenya has strengthened its strategic partnership with Japan, with renewed focus on transport infrastructure and energy transition as both countries explore expanded cooperation in electric mobility.
The discussions come as the two nations continue to deepen collaboration across multiple sectors, including health, infrastructure and education.
On Thursday, April 9, 2026, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi held talks with Oue Sadamasa, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi, alongside Japan’s Ambassador to Kenya, Matsuura Hiroshi. The meeting focused on concessional financing, technical cooperation and future investment opportunities.
Mudavadi said Kenya continues to value its long-standing relationship with Japan, which has supported development projects over the past six decades through institutions such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
“Kenya continues to value its long-standing partnership with Japan, a trusted ally and one of our key partners in development through concessional financing and technical cooperation,” Mudavadi said.
Kenya–Japan cooperation and development ties
Kenya and Japan’s partnership has supported infrastructure development in power and transport, as well as programmes in agriculture, health and education.
A key milestone in the relationship was Kenya hosting the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) in 2016, the first time the summit was held outside Japan.
The latest discussions also explored opportunities in electric mobility as part of Kenya’s broader energy transition agenda. The sector is expected to support the shift towards cleaner transport systems, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and leverage Kenya’s renewable energy base.
“Our focus remains clear: strengthen strategic cooperation that delivers real impact, supports economic growth and opens new frontiers for innovation and investment between Kenya and Japan,” Mudavadi said in a post on X.
Officials noted that the engagement builds on earlier sectoral cooperation, including a Kenya–Japan Health Sector Joint Technical Working Group Meeting held on March 11, 2026, in Nairobi.
The meeting brought together officials from both governments to discuss health technology transfer, manufacturing of medical products and training of health professionals.
Health, innovation and policy alignment
The health cooperation framework supports Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda and the Universal Health Coverage programme.
It also aligns with efforts to strengthen institutions such as the Kenya Medical Research Institute, the Kenya BioVax Institute and participation in global mRNA technology transfer initiatives.
The partnership aims to enhance regional health security and strengthen local pharmaceutical production capacity while promoting research and innovation.
The current talks reflect an expanding multi-sectoral relationship between Kenya and Japan, covering infrastructure, health systems strengthening and clean energy transition.
Both countries emphasised outcomes such as job creation, technology transfer and increased private sector participation.