Appreciating Kenya UAE Relations
On 8th May 2025, His Excellency Dr. William Samoei Ruto and His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates presided over the signing of seven Memoranda of Understanding between the two countries. The signing at State House signified the shared commitment to deepening relations between the two countries. The meeting served as a precursor to the anticipated visit to Kenya by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan scheduled to take place later in the year.
President William Ruto acknowledged the growth in bilateral cooperation and underscored the importance of enhanced Kenya – UAE collaboration to ensure the realization of the benefits highlighted in the MoUs.
The UAE is Kenya’s top trading partner in the Gulf region with a bilateral trade volume worth USD 3.4 billion in 2023 and is Kenya’s 3rd largest trading partner globally. The main UAE exports to Kenya include petroleum products, machinery, vehicles, and electronics while Kenya’s key exports to the UAE include tea, coffee, cut flowers, fruits, and vegetables. To enhance trade between the two countries and facilitate better access to both markets, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce opened an international representational office in Nairobi in 2016.
Beyond trade, the UAE has become a strategic development partner within the Gulf country supporting Kenya on various developmental projects, as well as offering direct budgetary support to the Government of Kenya. In January 2025 Kenya and the UAE signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The agreement aims to remove various barriers that have impeded the economic transformation by eliminating tariffs on over 80% of traded goods; facilitating trade in services, especially in finance, tourism, logistics, and ICT; promoting Emirati investments in Kenyan sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and infrastructure. When the agreement has been approved by parliament it is expected that Kenya will be an attractive investment destination for UAE based investors.
Currently UAE companies have invested in Kenya’s energy, ports, logistics, and real estate sectors with the DP World a multinational logistics company operating logistics hubs and dry ports in Nairobi and Mombasa. This is owed to Kenya’s strategic geographic location that positions it as a gateway into the EAC and COMESA regions.
The CEPA projects to increase Kenya’s exports to the UAE by up to 40% within five years. In order to do this, Kenya must leverage CEPA to diversify its exports such as leather, textiles and processed food through the expansion of agro-processing ventures and halal-certified products for re-export via UAE. Efforts are underway to attract more UAE-based logistics and fintech companies to set up regional hubs in Kenya while ensuring that Kenya remains a key gateway for Emirati investment into the EAC and COMESA regions. CEPA is a strategic partnership that presents untapped opportunities to enhance trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the two nations.
CEPA also allows for enhanced cooperation in having joint projects on clean energy and carbon markets through partnerships in the renewable energy field as seen with the UAE based firm Masdar engaging with Kenya Power and other agencies to develop this sector. Other benefits of the CEPA include expanding direct air connectivity and undertaking joint promotions; deepening collaboration between financial regulators and fintech ecosystems while also building capacity through technical training, skills exchange, and scholarship opportunities.
Why is this important:
Kenya established diplomatic representation in the UAE at the level of Ambassador in June 1982, while the UAE opened its Embassy in Nairobi in 2012. Kenya has also established a Consulate in Dubai. Kenya and UAE enjoy warm, cordial and long-standing relations founded in history and deep cultural ties, dating back to the influence of the Arab conquest on the East African Coast and the Indian Ocean trade. Since then, Kenya and UAE relations have continued to flourish as evidenced by the signing of a total of 21 Instruments of Cooperation that are at various stages of implementation.
In 2018 Kenya and the UAE signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Labour Matters and a Protocol on Domestic Workers to regulate and strengthen labour migration between the two countries. It is estimated that there are approximately 30,000 Kenyans living and working in the UAE in various sectors including hospitality, security transport; ICT; Aviation industry and education as teacher assistants. There is a strong need to review of Labour Cooperation Agreement signed in 2018 as it will allow skilled Kenyan worker, especially in the Heath Sector, including Doctors, Nurses and Lab Technicians, to access the UAE labour market, a key priority area for Government of Kenya.
Recognising the great potential to leverage on the untapped skilled labour needs in the UAE, the 4th Kenya- UAE Session of the Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) held between 11th – 14th August, 2024 highlighted the need to address the absence of mutual recognition of academic, technical and professional qualifications and certificates that has prevented skilled Kenyans accessing the job market in the UAE. The outcome was the commitment from both sides to undertake the necessary steps to engage UAE officials with Kenyan tertiary and institutions of higher learning to demonstrate the high standard of the existing infrastructure and richly diverse curricula in the education sector.
Kenya and the UAE have seen an expansion in direct air connectivity, facilitating ease of travel and exchange of goods between the two countries. In addition to the frequent passenger and cargo flights by Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways, the second largest airline, resumed both passenger and non-passenger flights on the Nairobi- Abu Dhabi route last year after a three-year hiatus following the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, signalling the importance of Kenya as an aviation hub for UAE based carriers. Furthermore, Flydubai Airlines that operates flights between the UAE and Mombasa since January 2024 has supported tourism, investment, and access to opportunities for our coastal communities.
Further Cooperation
During the recent State House meeting some of the agreements signed included:
Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum of the Government of the Republic of Kenya and the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure of the Government of the United Arab Emirates on Cooperation in the Field of Energy seeking to establish a framework for energy cooperation, promoting the sharing of technical knowledge, advice, skills, and expertise. This will increase access to clean energy and strengthen cooperation in renewable energy development and technology transfer. This was signed by the Principal Secretary for Energy and Petroleum.
Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Road and Transport of the Republic of Kenya and the Ministry of Investment of the United Arab Emirates on Cooperation in the Transport Sector to promote economic cooperation in the transport sector focusing on rail, aviation and road transport projects, regulatory alignment, and infrastructure safety, reliability, and innovation. This was signed by the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport.
Agreement between the Federal Customs Authority of the Government of the United Arab Emirates and the Kenya Revenue Authority of the Republic of Kenya on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters seeking to prevent and investigate customs offenses, exchange information, and develop new procedures that will culminate in the reduction of illicit goods trafficking, improve cross-border trade, while protecting public and economic interests. This was signed by the Commissioner General of the Kenya Revenue Authority.
Memorandum of Understanding between Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Federation of UAE Chamber of Commerce and Industry to establish a Kenya-UAE Joint Business Council for trade, investment, services and industrial sectors. This was signed by the President of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Memorandum of Understanding between Kenya Railways Corporation and Etihad Rail Company to enhance knowledge exchange, conduct feasibility studies, and introduce innovative technologies for railway improvement. This was signed by the Managing Director, Kenya Railways Corporation.
Implementing these instruments will enhance Kenya's strategic objectives towards promoting national security, sustainable energy development, infrastructure connectivity, trade facilitation, and strengthening institutional capacity.
President Ruto confirmed Kenya and UAE's commitment to multilateral collaboration for peace and security. The two states are working on promoting stability in Eastern and Horn of Africa regions. Kenya supports a Sudanese-led solution to Sudan's political dispute and advocates for peace processes through the African institutions and mechanisms established by members states including IGAD and the African Union and other regional institutions such as the East Africa Community (EAC).