Kenyan President William Ruto is conducting a four-day state visit to Beijing from April 22 to 25, 2025. The Kenyan leader finalized the signing of seven investment agreements with Chinese companies, totaling 823 million USD. This visit is part of Kenya’s commitment to strengthening its economic ties with China and diversifying its international partnerships.
Strategic Investments in Several Key Sectors
The signed agreements cover diverse and strategic sectors for the Kenyan economy.
Manufacturing: China Wu Yi will invest 150 million USD in the creation of a special economic zone in Kilifi, on a 191-acre site, with the aim of generating more than 5,000 jobs. Other Chinese companies, such as Rongtai Steel Limited, will invest in the construction of steel production plants to support the national affordable housing program.
Agriculture: Zonken Group will inject 400 million USD into large-scale aloe cultivation, processing, and export in Baringo; while Shandong Jialejia Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Technology will invest in a poultry project in Kajiado, creating an additional 500 jobs.
Tourism and Hospitality: Investments are also planned in the hotel sector; notably the management and renovation of iconic properties such as the Hilton and Intercontinental hotels, now leased by Chinese groups.
Technology and Education: Several agreements concern the construction of textile, clothing, and solar energy factories, as well as the establishment of an educational technology center in Nairobi.
A Lever for Employment and Economic Transformation
President Ruto emphasizes the importance of these investments for job creation, particularly for Kenyan youth, and for accelerating national economic growth. Kenyan authorities hope that these new capital injections will enable the country to position itself as a major logistics and industrial hub in East Africa.
Strengthened Partnership in a Tense Economic Context
This visit comes as Kenya seeks to rebalance its trade balance, which is largely in deficit with China, and to circumvent US customs surcharges that are hampering its agricultural exports. Nairobi is counting on cooperation with Beijing to develop its infrastructure (extension of the Naivasha-Malaba railway, construction of a Nairobi-Mau Summit highway) and to benefit from technology transfers.
Bilateral discussions between Ruto and Xi Jinping also focused on South-South cooperation, regional peace and security, as well as China’s role in implementing key projects such as the Standard Gauge Railway, the Nairobi Expressway, and the Lamu Port.
Conclusion
President Ruto’s visit to China marks a major milestone in Kenya’s economic transformation strategy. The USD 823 million in investments signed are expected to have a significant impact on employment, industrialization, and the diversification of the Kenyan economy, while strengthening Sino-Kenyan relations in an increasingly competitive international environment.
