President Ruto to visit Germany and Belgium for talks on energy, trade and development
President William Ruto will embark on a four-day visit to Germany and Belgium today, Sunday 26th March 2023, to strengthen bilateral relations and explore partnerships on renewable energy, green industrialization and trade.
According to a press release by State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, Ruto will meet with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, where he will also deliver a keynote address at the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue.
The head of state will outline the challenges of energy security amidst the worsening climate crisis and the push for investments in renewable energy, in Kenya and Africa. Kenya will also seek cooperation with Germany on the youth agenda, specifically in vocational education and training.
Ruto, since his election in August last year has made renewable energy and green industrialization one of his key priorities. Kenya is already a leader in geothermal power generation and has recently launched several solar and wind projects.
From Berlin, Ruto will proceed to Brussels, where he will meet with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and discuss mutual areas of interest including health, food security, drought response, climate action, trade and investment.
He will also engage with the leadership of the European Union, including Charles Michel, President of the European Council and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.
“His meeting will reinforce Kenya’s commitment to the Kenya – EU Strategic Dialogue, to deepen the partnership between Kenya and the European Union, under the three key pillars of Peace, Security and Stability; Sustainable and Inclusive Development; and, Economy, Trade and Investment,” Hussein Mohamed said.
Ruto’s visit comes at a time when Kenya is seeking to diversify its export markets and attract more foreign direct investment. The country is also keen to benefit from the EU’s Green Deal, which aims to make Europe carbon-neutral by 2050. Kenya is also a signatory to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to create a single market for goods and services across the continent.