June 30, 2025
President William Ruto has welcomed the decision by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to establish its African continental office in Nairobi.
The ratification process is currently before Parliament.
President Ruto said this is a strategic move that will strengthen support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and promote Public-Private Partnerships as key drivers of economic growth.
He made the remarks on the sidelines of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, Spain, where he held talks with EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso.
President Ruto and the EBRD President agreed on a comprehensive engagement strategy, including support for climate financing, the promotion of green investments, and the organisation of an investor conference in Nairobi later this year.
The bank also reaffirmed its alignment with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and proposed a structured, long-term engagement.
Earlier, President Ruto held bilateral talks with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal where he committed to strengthening diplomatic ties with Ukraine for the mutual benefit of both nations.
He said Kenya and Ukraine are working on expanding educational opportunities, particularly for its students.
The President noted that Kenya is keen to address food security challenges in partnership with Ukraine.
He said Kenya is exploring ways for Ukraine to use its strategic location to support the regional distribution of key commodities through the port of Mombasa.
He added that the Kenya-Ukraine partnership offers a valuable platform to expand cooperation in information and communication technology (ICT) and trade for shared growth and development.
The two leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting regional and global stability through peacekeeping, mediation, and multilateral diplomacy, grounded in the United Nations Charter and a rules-based international order.
