By Mumo Judah
Pretoria, South Africa, June 5, 2026
President William Ruto and President Cyril Ramaphosa have signed six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between Kenya and South Africa during a high-level meeting at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
The agreements were signed as President Ruto commenced his three-day State Visit to South Africa, with the two leaders pledging to deepen political, economic and social ties between their countries while advancing broader African integration goals.
The newly signed agreements cover trade facilitation, shipping and maritime cooperation, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), gender equality and women’s empowerment, arts and culture, as well as sports and recreation. The pacts are expected to enhance collaboration between the two nations and create new opportunities for trade, investment, skills development and cultural exchange.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, President Ramaphosa underscored Kenya’s strategic role on the continent, saying, “South Africa appreciates Kenya’s key role as a gateway to East Africa and as one of the leading voices on matters of peace, security and development on the continent.”
The South African leader also called for stronger African cooperation in addressing global challenges and advancing the continent’s interests on the international stage.
President Ruto described the agreements as a significant milestone in Kenya-South Africa relations, noting that they reflect a shared commitment to expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.
“[This is] a clear testament to our commitment to deepening bilateral ties. These agreements are aimed at elevating our partnership, building on the existing strong foundation of cooperation we have nurtured over the past three decades,” President Ruto said.
The Kenyan Head of State added that the agreements would help unlock new economic opportunities for both countries through the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“We are also positioning ourselves to unlock greater trade opportunities through the African Continental Free Trade Area, expand markets, boost investment, and drive inclusive growth,” he said.
The bilateral talks also focused on regional peace and security, African Union reforms, economic cooperation and strategies for boosting intra-African trade, which remains significantly lower than trade levels recorded in other regions of the world.
Following the signing ceremony, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of the agreements by government officials before addressing a joint media briefing. President Ruto is also expected to engage business leaders during the South Africa-Kenya Business Forum as part of efforts to strengthen commercial ties between Nairobi and Pretoria.
The visit is expected to further reinforce relations between two of Africa’s leading economies and advance cooperation in areas considered critical to the continent’s long-term growth and development.
