Ruto in Germany: President invites investors to Kenya

President William Ruto arrived in Germany on Monday, March 27 for a four-day official visit of Germany and Belgium.

The key agenda for Ruto's visit is to hold trade and bilateral talks with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz leaders to strengthen ties between the two countries.

"We are inviting German businessmen to invest in Kenya's micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. We believe Kenya will benefit from the German sector which is one of the most vibrant, organised, experienced and resourced in the world, providing more than 60 per cent of the country's employment," President Ruto tweeted.

Earlier, Ruto held talks with German Association of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Dr Markus Jerger, and Michael Schumann, chairman Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade where they agreed on approaches to bringing more German and international companies to Kenya.

Ruto will also be the keynote speaker at the 2023 Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue where he will outline the challenges of security, the worsening climate crisis and the push for investments in renewable energy, green industrialization, and trade.

Kenya will also explore partnerships with Germany on the youth agenda, specifically in vocational education and training.

In Brussels, the capital of Belgium, President Ruto is expected to have a meeting with Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium. The meeting's main objective is to discuss mutual areas of interest including, health, addressing Kenya's food security and drought response, climate action, trade, and investment.

The President will also engage with the leadership of the European Union, including Charles Michel, President of the European Union Council, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.