Kenya and Finland forge strategic partnership

Kenya and Finland have pledged to foster their six-decade-long diplomatic ties, focusing on education, climate action, trade, peace, and multilateral cooperation.

Speaking at State House, Nairobi, during a historic State Visit by Finnish President Alexander Stubb, President William Ruto acknowledged Finland’s global leadership in education, announcing a new framework to support Kenya’s transition to a Competency-Based Education system.

“We agreed to deepen collaboration to support Kenya’s transition, focusing on basic, technical, vocational, and higher education to equip our youth with the skills needed in a digital economy,” Ruto stated.

“In the business world—in the green economy, digital superhighway, infrastructure, healthcare, technology, and agribusiness—Finland is seeking close partners, and Kenya will be one of them,” Stubb added.

President Stubb is scheduled to visit a technical training institution to witness Kenya’s youth empowerment efforts firsthand.

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Both nations committed to stepping up their climate action agenda, with forestry and renewable energy highlighted as key areas for joint investment.

President Ruto praised Finland’s achievement in maintaining over 75 percent forest cover and noted Kenya’s goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.

“We look forward to learning from Finland’s expertise in sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation, and balancing economic and environmental goals,” he said.

The two leaders presided over the signing of Memoranda of Understanding on Political Consultations and Peace Mediation, while laying the groundwork for cooperation in education, tourism, labour mobility, health, and sustainable forestry.

Additionally, the two leaders agreed to boost private sector engagement in trade, with President Ruto emphasizing opportunities under the Kenya-EU Economic Partnership Agreement, which came into force in July 2024