Mudavadi in Moscow

Kenya wants to expand its economic cooperation with Russia, declared Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi, who is currently visiting Moscow. "We would welcome more Russian investment in Kenya," he emphasized. Kenya recently prioritized its economic cooperation with Russia, despite tensions stemming from the war in Ukraine. Following talks in Moscow in March 2026, Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi stressed that bilateral relations should be broader and not solely defined by the conflict. Kenya and Russia agreed to halt the recruitment of Kenyan citizens for the war in Ukraine, while simultaneously expanding cooperation in energy, tourism, agriculture, and education. Mudavadi highlighted that both sides are committed to creating employment opportunities for Kenyans in Russia and are working towards establishing a bilateral commission for economic cooperation. Trade between Kenya and Russia grew from USD 397 million (2018) to approximately USD 638 million (2024), driven by exports such as tea and flowers, and machinery imports. This growth was accelerated by Russia-Africa Summits (2019, 2023) and a Ministerial Forum in 2024, in line with Kenya's Vision 2030. Bilateral trade currently amounts to "only about USD 500 million," according to Mudavadi. "We are convinced that we can significantly increase this trade volume through cooperation. It should double and even more," he emphasized. The Kenyan Foreign Minister also believes that his country could benefit from Russia's expertise in nuclear energy. He stated that Kenya will need approximately 10,000 megawatts of production capacity over the next ten years, and the two countries have "an opportunity for cooperation." "This is an ideal time for Russian companies to gain a foothold in Kenya," the foreign minister concluded.