Kenya: Ruto Courts Russian Investors As Kenya Seeks to Boost Trade, Manufacturing

What the report says

President William Ruto has used a business forum in Moscow to court more Russian investment in Kenya, arguing that the country’s economic growth, large consumer market and location make it a useful base for companies looking to expand in East and Central Africa. The remarks were delivered at the Russia-Kenya Business Roundtable Forum on Wednesday, according to Capital FM as republished by AllAfrica.

Ruto said Kenya wants deeper commercial ties with Russia and pointed to gaps in current trade and investment flows. The article says bilateral trade reached about $380 million in 2025, while Russian investment in Kenya was estimated at $22 million, levels he described as below potential. Kenyan exports to Russia include tea, coffee, flowers, fruits and vegetables, while imports from Russia are dominated by wheat, fertilisers and steel-related products.

He encouraged Russian businesses to consider sectors linked to Kenya’s industrialization agenda, including mining, transport, heavy engineering, manufacturing, energy and fertiliser production. Ruto said such projects could help process more raw materials locally, strengthen supply chains, transfer skills and create jobs. He also called for economic partnerships that preserve local value addition rather than leaving African countries mainly exporting unprocessed commodities.

The report says Ruto is in Russia for the Third Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, where he is also seeking wider cooperation on peace and security. On the sidelines, he met Wildberries chief executive Robert Mirzoyan to discuss online trading opportunities. The delegation also included senior Kenyan officials, and Ruto said Kenya is open to expanding labour mobility links with Russia.