KENYA AND HUNGARY COMMIT TO DEEPENING BILATERAL COOPERATION IN EDUCATION, AGRICULTURE AND TRADE
KENYA AND HUNGARY COMMIT TO DEEPENING BILATERAL COOPERATION IN EDUCATION, AGRICULTURE AND TRADE
Nairobi, 11th November 2026
Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Korir A. Sing’Oei, today held consultations with the Ambassador of Hungary to Kenya, H.E. Ms. Katalyn Nyirati, at the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Headquarters in Nairobi, to discuss opportunities for strengthening bilateral relations and advancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
The discussions reaffirmed the longstanding cordial relations between Kenya and Hungary and the shared commitment to elevating the partnership through mutually beneficial engagements, enhanced development cooperation and increased economic collaboration.
Dr. Sing’Oei welcomed the continued diplomatic engagement between the two countries, noting Ambassador Nyirati’s recent consultations with Ambassador Tabu Irina, Deputy Director-General for Europe and Commonwealth Affairs, which had identified key areas requiring further follow-up. He underscored Kenya’s readiness to work with Hungary’s new Government to translate existing cooperation frameworks into tangible development outcomes.
The Principal Secretary proposed the facilitation of a State or Ministerial visit between the two countries at a mutually convenient time, noting that high-level exchanges would provide fresh impetus to bilateral relations and strengthen institutional and people-to-people ties.
Education featured prominently in the discussions, with Dr. Sing’Oei expressing Kenya’s appreciation for Hungary’s continued support through the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme, which has awarded more than 200 undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships to Kenyan students. With the current bilateral framework set to expire on 31st December 2026, Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to renewing the programme for the 2027–2029 period. The Principal Secretary also called for consideration of an increase in scholarship allocations and an enhancement of student stipends in response to the rising cost of living. He further emphasized the importance of maintaining continuity in the selection of Kenyan beneficiaries for the 2027 academic year as the renewal process progresses.
Kenya also expressed interest in expanding cooperation in climate-smart agriculture, agricultural technology, water management, renewable energy and technology transfer, while welcoming further discussions on concessional financing and development partnerships aligned with national development priorities.
The two sides also explored opportunities to expand bilateral trade and investment. Noting that trade between Kenya and Hungary stood at approximately USD 14.7 million in 2025, Dr. Sing’Oei observed that the existing trade volumes remain below the potential of the two economies. He encouraged stronger business-to-business linkages, enhanced market access for Kenyan exports and increased participation by Hungarian companies in Kenya’s priority investment sectors. He further highlighted Kenya’s strategic position as a gateway to the wider East African market.
The engagement underscored the mutual interest of Kenya and Hungary in building a more dynamic and results-oriented partnership, anchored in economic diplomacy, human capital development and sustainable development cooperation.
-Ends-