Mudavadi touts economic ties with Germany, UAE

Stronger trade and investment ties with Germany are better for Kenya’s economic development, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has said.

Speaking during the fifth Germany-African Business Summit in Nairobi, Mudavadi said the two countries are exploring partnerships in areas including labour migration, climate resilience, education, and healthcare.

Kenya’s decades-long collaboration with Germany, he added, has featured technology and knowledge transfer and the creation of job opportunities.

“The relationship between Germany and Kenya has grown significantly in recent years,” he said.

“With German companies actively investing in sectors such as renewable energy, automotive manufacturing, and infrastructure, we have seen first-hand the positive impact of such collaborations.”

Africa’s young people, who make up more than 60 percent of the continent’s population, are keen to adopt new technology and help create a better future for the region, he said.

“This forum represents more than just discussions; it is a call to action. It is a reminder that Africa’s potential will not be realised in isolation but through strengthened partnerships,” he said.

Mudavadi noted the partnership with Germany is crucial in Kenya’s efforts to achieve United Nations Sustainable Development Goals particularly in clean energy, climate action, and inclusive economic growth.

In a separate meeting to celebrate the United Arab Emirates’ 53rd National Day celebrations, Mudavadi expressed the Kenyan government’s interest in strengthening trade relations and investments.

Mudavadi also affirmed that trade, investment, and diplomacy are among the key components of the two nations’ shared agenda for development and economic success.

The UAE, he said, is among Kenya’s top trading partners (ranking sixth), and Nairobi prioritises the Arabian country as a key export market for Kenyan products.

“The value of trade between the two countries increased from Sh142.5 billion in 2013 to Sh460 billion in 2023. Kenya’s exports include tea, goat and sheep meat, fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers, while imports include petroleum products, polymers, and telecommunications equipment,” Mudavadi said.

The diplomatic relations between the two countries have also created job opportunities for many Kenyans in the Arabian nation.