President William Ruto has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ways to boost trade, investment and economic cooperation. The meeting took place on Friday, October 30, 2026 during the Third Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum.
“In the meeting we discussed ways to improve our current relationship and identify new areas of cooperation,” Ruto said in a statement. “We reiterated our commitment to deepen economic cooperation between Kenya and Russia, boost trade and investment opportunities and strengthen our long standing bilateral relationship.”
The meeting came after five memoranda of understanding were signed between the two nations including an economic cooperation memorandum. Ruto said the agreements would create a platform to boost cooperation between the two nations especially in the areas of trade.
Infrastructure was another area Ruto said Kenya hoped to see Russian investment in. Ruto said there were opportunities for Kenya to work with Russian companies on airport development, Port of Mombasa, road and rail projects.
Ruto also said he hoped to work with Russian companies to look at opportunities for local fertiliser production. However, no details were given on these projects.
Putin said trade between Kenya and Russia had almost doubled between January and August 2026. He also said 70 scholarships had been given to Kenyan students to study civilian subjects in Russian universities next year. Kenya hopes to boost trade to Russia.
Ruto said in the Russia-Kenya Business Roundtable on October 28 that bilateral trade was around 380 million US dollars in 2025. Kenya only exported around 52 million dollars worth of goods to Russia, mostly tea, coffee, cut flowers, fruits and vegetables. However, Kenya imported around 330 million dollars worth of goods from Russia including wheat, fertilisers, iron and steel products.
Ruto encouraged Russian companies to invest in Kenya’s manufacturing, agro-processing, mining and transport industries. This would help boost local production creating jobs and adding value to Kenyan exports. Kenya can also act as a gateway for Russian companies to access East and Central Africa.
Ruto also said he hoped for more cooperation between Russia and Africa in the areas of education, agriculture, health, research and technology. Putin said Russia was interested in boosting economic and diplomatic ties with African countries.
Kenya and Russia established diplomatic ties in 1963 and have continued to work together in areas such as trade, education and politics. The meeting in Moscow will help Nairobi diversify its economic ties. However, how much this will have an impact will depend on how the agreements are implemented, how much investment comes from them and if there are actual business opportunities for companies in both countries.