- Trade and investment deals agreed during the visit will
contribute over £1bn to the UK economy and create UK jobs in
engineering, defence industries, technical and advisory services,
and financial services
- The UK and Kenya will also increase collaboration to tackle
organised crime, human trafficking and illicit finance
through the UK-Kenya Security Compact
- The UK and Kenya will commit to a new Strategic Partnership
as Kenyan President Ruto visits London
The UK and Kenya will commit to working together to drive
economic growth, protect climate and nature, foster collaboration
in science and technology and strengthen regional security.
During a visit to the UK by the President of Kenya, a pipeline of
trade and investment deals worth over £1bn to the UK economy were
agreed which will deliver on this government's commitment to
boost jobs and prosperity back in the UK, as part of
the government's Plan for Change.
This includes the launch of a tender for a major urban
redevelopment project in Nairobi which has been inspired by the
regeneration of London's Kings Cross.
The Nairobi Railway City project has already provided
opportunities to UK businesses with British architecture firm
Atkins UK chosen to design the central rail station and public
square.
The Government of Kenya is exploring funding the project through
finance mobilised by the UK's Export Credit Agency, UK Export
Finance, which will create UK jobs in engineering, technical and
legal services.
Both countries also agreed stronger cooperation to disrupt the
air, land and sea routes used by organised crime groups to
prevent illegal migrants transiting through Kenya in attempts to
reach Libya and other countries before travelling on to Europe.
Four of the top ten countries for Small Boat arrivals in the UK
are near neighbours of Kenya (Eritrea, Sudan, Somalia and
Ethiopia).
Foreign Secretary, , said:
Through our shared history and values the UK and Kenya have
always had a close connection.
Now we are building a shared future; a modern, innovative and
respectful partnership which is delivering real benefits –
boosting growth and creating jobs for both Kenyans and the
British people. We're going far, together.
The UK and Kenya have also committed to increased defence and
counter terrorism collaboration, including joint training and the
creation of a new counter insurgency, terrorism and stability
operations centre.
Defence sales worth over £70m were agreed during the visit
supporting manufacturing jobs in County Durham, Northamptonshire
and Surrey. Kenya hosts the UK's most significant military
footprint in Africa, including a facility that trains 3,000 UK
troops a year.
The UK's world leading financial services sector will also
benefit; Lloyd's of London will announce today that they will be
joining the Nairobi International Finance Centre, which will
deepen the partnership between two leading financial centres
providing access to up to £500m of insurance market potential in
Kenya and the East Africa region.
The two countries also committed to explore the potential of a
bilateral digital trade agreement. Dubbed ‘Silicon Savannah', the
value of Kenya's tech sector is projected to reach £11.5bn by
2032.
A digital trade agreement will open up opportunities in the
sector for UK Plc.
Notes to Editors
- The projects quoted are examples of a pipeline of projects
that both governments will be working towards.
