Kenya and Malaysia have signed a major trade agreement that will allow Kenyan agricultural products to enter the Malaysian market duty-free.
The announcement was made on Monday by President William Ruto during a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at State House, Nairobi.
President Ruto said the new deal opens fresh opportunities for Kenyan farmers and strengthens the long-standing partnership between the two countries.
He noted that Malaysia is an important trading partner, importing Kenyan tea, coffee, flowers, avocados and titanium ores, while Kenya buys edible oils, chemicals, electronics and rubber from Malaysia.
According to President Ruto, removing tariffs will make Kenyan products more competitive and help the agricultural sector grow faster.
During the bilateral talks, both countries also agreed to work closely in education, research, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Malaysia will support Kenya’s plans to expand the semiconductor industry and strengthen technical training, especially through institutions like Dedan Kimathi University.
President Ruto applauded Malaysia for its strong development model, noting that Kenya’s affordable housing program drew inspiration from both Malaysia and Singapore.
He said Kenya would soon send private sector leaders to Malaysia to learn more about the country’s modern housing, healthcare, and infrastructure systems.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim praised President Ruto’s efforts to improve housing, saying Kenya is moving faster than many other countries. He also expressed confidence that Kenya will become one of Africa’s strongest economies.
Both leaders agreed that Kenya and Malaysia should use their growing partnership to influence global economic discussions and champion fair economic governance.
The duty-free deal is expected to boost Kenya’s exports, support farmers, and deepen cooperation in technology, education, and industrial development.
