President William Ruto’s Moscow visit focuses on investment, trade and economic cooperation.
President William Ruto urges Russian businesses to invest in local production as Kenya seeks stronger exports and overseas jobs.
President William Ruto has urged Russian investors to expand their presence in Kenya, targeting manufacturing, energy and other productive sectors. He also called for stronger trade ties and more opportunities for Kenyan workers.
Speaking at the Russia-Kenya Business Roundtable Forum in Moscow on Wednesday, Ruto highlighted Kenya’s domestic market and regional position. He described the country as a gateway to East and Central Africa.
Ruto cited a population of 55 million and an economy worth $136 billion, or about Sh18 trillion. He also put economic growth in 2025 at 5.3 per cent, highlighting financial services, private enterprise and expanding infrastructure.
Russian investors urged to support local production
Ruto said Russian investment in Kenya stood at an estimated $22 million, or about Sh2.8 billion. However, he argued that this remained below the potential for cooperation between the two countries.
He identified opportunities in mining, mineral processing, transport, heavy engineering, manufacturing, energy and fertiliser production. These investments, he said, should process local resources, strengthen supply chains, transfer skills and create jobs.
Ruto also called for partnerships that respect sovereign equality and increase the value of local resources. He criticised arrangements that leave African countries exporting raw materials without substantial processing.
Such arrangements, he argued, limit industrial development and prevent Africans from gaining the full economic benefits of their resources. He also assured prospective investors that Kenya’s legal framework protects investments.
Kenya seeks to narrow trade imbalance
Ruto put bilateral trade in 2025 at $380 million, or roughly Sh50 billion. However, Kenya’s exports to Russia totalled only $52 million, about Sh7 billion.
Those exports mainly comprised tea, coffee, flowers, fruits and vegetables. Meanwhile, imports from Russia reached approximately $330 million, or Sh42.8 billion, including wheat, fertilisers, iron and steel products.
The President said the figures showed significant room to expand commercial ties. His investment appeal focused on strengthening domestic production alongside trade.
Labour mobility and online trading on agenda
Ruto also expressed interest in extending Kenya’s labour mobility programme to Russia. He said the programme had helped 700,000 Kenyans secure overseas employment and that cooperation could open further opportunities.
On the forum’s sidelines, he held talks with Wildberries Chief Executive Officer Robert Mirzoyan about investment, particularly online trading. Russian President Vladimir Putin later hosted Ruto and other African leaders at the Gostiny Dvor Exhibition Centre.
Ruto is attending the Third Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum to deepen economic ties and strengthen peace and security cooperation. His delegation includes Rachel Ruto, Musalia Mudavadi, Lee Kinyanjui and Kenya’s ambassador to Russia, Peter Mathuki.
