Kenya And South Africa Deepen Strategic Partnership During State Visit
Sports Updated: 04 June 2026 17:08 EAT
President William Samoei Ruto of Kenya (left) and his South Africa counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa at the Pretoria bilateral conference
President William Samoei Ruto and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa used their joint press conference in Pretoria to project a broader vision of African cooperation, with both leaders framing their bilateral engagement as part of a wider push to strengthen the continent’s influence in global affairs. Ruto described the State Visit as an opportunity to review progress, unlock new areas of collaboration and redefine Africa’s place in an evolving international order.
“It is a profound honor to stand here today in South Africa, a land that has given the world enduring lessons in courage, sacrifice, and the indomitable power of human spirit. South Africa is living proof of what becomes possible when people refuse to be defined by injustice and instead choose to be defined by their greatest aspirations. The world watched in awe as this nation dismantled apartheid and built something more lasting in its place: a constitutional democracy grounded in dignity, human rights, and in the equal worth of every person.”
Ruto said his discussions with Ramaphosa focused on practical measures aimed at deepening relations between Nairobi and Pretoria, noting that the two countries intend to accelerate cooperation through existing institutional mechanisms while pursuing broader strategic objectives.
“This state visit is both a celebration of how far we have come and a frank conversation about how much further we must go and how much faster we must move. In that spirit, President Ramaphosa and I held bilateral talks earlier this morning, reviewing the state of our relations and agreeing on concrete measures to deepen and further our cooperation.”
The Kenyan President linked the bilateral agenda to changing global dynamics, arguing that African countries must respond collectively to emerging geopolitical and economic realities. He said this period presents an opportunity for the continent to become a decisive force in shaping international outcomes.
“We met at a moment when the world order is shifting, when what was once certain is now in doubt, when multilateral institutions are being questioned, and when Africa's role in shaping global outcomes has never been more consequential or more contested. This is precisely the moment that demands African unity, African clarity, and African solidarity.”
Ruto also commended South Africa’s stewardship of the G20 and said Pretoria had used the platform to advocate reforms intended to elevate Africa’s development priorities and strengthen representation of the Global South in international governance structures.
“Today, Kenya and South Africa stand together in advocating a re-imagined global order—one built not without Africa, but with Africa fully represented, fully engaged, and at the center of it. We are not asking to be admitted to someone else's architecture. We are asserting our rightful place among the architects of the new global order.”
On historical relations, Ruto said Kenya and South Africa share a partnership rooted in common liberation struggles and decades of diplomatic engagement. He said that relationship has matured into one of the continent’s most influential bilateral partnerships.
“Our two nations have never been strangers to each other's struggles. Long before our high commissions opened in 1994, the year of South Africa's democratic rebirth, we were bound by the shared experience of colonialism, by the solidarity of our liberation movements, and by the common dream of an Africa that governs itself, feeds itself, and speaks for itself. Over three decades, we have built one of the most impactful partnerships on the continent.”
The leaders announced plans to strengthen institutional cooperation and welcomed ongoing efforts to transform the Joint Commission for Cooperation into a more comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework.
“We further welcome the ongoing work to elevate the commission into a strategic partnership framework—a stronger, more comprehensive foundation for the years to come. As a testament to our growing ties, we have today witnessed the signing of six instruments on trade facilitation through cooperation in standards regulation and metrology, on shipping and maritime cooperation, and on partnerships in gender equality and women's empowerment, technical and vocational education, arts and heritage, and sports and recreation.”
Trade and investment featured prominently during the engagement, with Ruto pointing to continued growth in commercial relations while acknowledging that structural barriers still need to be addressed to unlock greater economic potential.
“On trade and investment, we noted with satisfaction the upward trajectory of our bilateral trade, which grew from US $590 million in 2024 to $650 million in 2025, an increase of $60 million or more than 10% in a single year. This momentum must not only be sustained, but we must also accelerate. We acknowledge that real obstacles still remain, including tariff and non-tariff barriers, limited market access, and regulatory constraints.”
The President said both governments had agreed to expand cooperation through regional integration frameworks and support stronger private sector engagement across strategic sectors including finance, education, logistics and aviation.
“We further agreed to harness the tripartite alliance and the African Continental Free Trade Area to expand access, reduce costs, and unlock the full promise of intra-African trade. We took stock too of robust investment flows over the past five years with enterprises from both countries now present across banking, telecommunication, fintech, logistics, education, aviation, and retail.”
Ruto further highlighted gains recorded under the visa-free arrangement between Kenya and South Africa, describing mobility as a catalyst for trade, tourism and people-to-people connections.
“We commended the visa-free regime in place since 2023, which has measurably boosted tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between our two countries. We were briefed that in 2025 alone, 58,000 arrivals were recorded from Kenya. Today, during our bilateral discussions, the Ministry of Tourism of South Africa informed us that Kenyans visiting South Africa have increased by 18.7% since the introduction of the 90-day visa-free entry policy.”
On regional stability, Ruto reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to working with South Africa through multilateral institutions to support peace efforts and strengthen Africa’s influence in global decision-making.
“On peace and security, we've reaffirmed that stability is the foundation of all development. We pledged sustained cooperation with the African Union, the United Nations, and other multilateral organizations united in the conviction that lasting peace is both a shared responsibility and a shared reward. As two of Africa's most influential voices, South Africa and Kenya are determined that our continent should shape global outcomes and not merely respond to them.”
Closing his remarks, Ruto said the success of the visit would ultimately be judged not by declarations but by measurable implementation and tangible outcomes for citizens of both countries.
“Let me close with a standard against which I believe we must measure everything done in our meetings, that outcomes and impact will shape every commitment that we have signed and every MOU that has been signed here today. I believe Kenya and South Africa working together in honesty and determination are fully capable of meeting it.”
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