Ruto unveils plan to formalise labour mobility framework with Japan
By Cy Muganda, August 20, 2025President William Ruto has announced plans to establish a formal labour mobility framework with Japan, aimed at enabling more skilled Kenyans to work in Japan while strengthening economic ties between the two nations.
Addressing the Yokohama City Assembly during his visit to Japan on August 20, 2025, Ruto highlighted Kenya’s pool of qualified young professionals and the growing demand from Japanese companies for Kenyan talent.
“The Government of Kenya is committed to formalising labour mobility frameworks with Japan, enabling more Kenyans to contribute to Japan’s economy while deepening the bonds of friendship between our two peoples,” Ruto told the assembly.
Ruto emphasised that Kenya possesses a competitive advantage in human resources, particularly among tech-savvy youth equipped for modern industrial demands.
“Our country boasts a large pool of well-educated, tech-savvy young people who are adequately equipped to work with the most advanced technologies to drive innovation across our continent and globally. I am pleased to note that many Japanese companies have already begun recruiting Kenyan graduates for training and deployment in Japan,” he added.
Renewable energy advantage
In his address, Ruto pitched Kenya as a prime investment destination, highlighting the country’s reliance on renewable energy, which he said stands at 90 per cent of the national energy mix.
“Kenya’s energy mix is already 90% green and renewable, giving investors access to reliable, competitively priced power with one of the lowest carbon footprints globally,” Ruto stated.
He noted that this green energy foundation provides an ideal platform to anchor industrial capacity for companies seeking environmentally sustainable operations.
“Our agricultural sector offers high-quality products produced through sustainable practices, ensuring minimal carbon footprint and alignment with global climate-conscious supply chains,” he explained.
Gateway to East African market
Additionally, Ruto emphasised Kenya’s role as an entry point to the broader East African Community, describing the regional bloc’s significant economic potential.
“Kenya is equally proud to be the gateway to the East African community, a regional bloc of eight nations with a population of 300 million and a combined GDP of nearly 330 billion U.S. dollars,” he revealed.
The head of state explained that regional integration has created opportunities for investors to access not only East Africa but the entire continent through the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“With the alignment of the East African community and the African continental free trade area, investors gain access not only to East Africa but also to the entire continent,” Ruto said.
“Just as Yokohama is Japan’s gateway to the world, Kenya is your gateway to East Africa and the wider African continent,” he added.