Opening remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Kenya State Visit, Union Buildings

Your Excellency, Dr William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya,
Members of the governments of Kenya and South Africa,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a profound honour and a personal joy to welcome President Ruto and the Kenyan delegation to South Africa.

This Reciprocal State Visit is a celebration of the friendship and solidarity that binds our two nations.

Ours is a relationship rooted in shared values, mutual respect and a common vision for democracy, peace and prosperity across Africa.

This visit builds on my State Visit to Kenya in November 2022 and the many engagements we have held through our Joint Commission for Cooperation.

It reflects the growing strength of our ties and the determination of our two nations to work together for the benefit of our peoples.

South Africa and Kenya are leading economies in our regions.

As such, our partnership carries significance not only for our citizens but for the broader African project of integration, industrialisation and inclusive growth.

I welcome the successful convening of the 7th Session of the South Africa-Kenya Joint Trade Committee in Pretoria this April.

These discussions reaffirmed our shared commitment to building a balanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

We are encouraged by the progress made in addressing trade imbalances, removing barriers and strengthening regional value chains.

Importantly, our cooperation is expanding into new areas - green energy, climate-smart industrialisation, digital trade, artificial intelligence, maritime cooperation, e-mobility and skills development.

Such cooperation will create opportunities to transform lives, empower young people and build resilient economies.

We look forward to finalising several strategic Memoranda of Understanding during this visit, covering agriculture, tourism, ICT, energy, transport and maritime cooperation.

These agreements will deepen our collaboration and provide practical benefits for our citizens.

I am especially pleased by the proposal to establish a South Africa-Kenya Joint Business Council, which will give our private sectors a stronger voice in shaping trade and investment.

Our people-to-people ties are flourishing.

The decision we took in 2022 to grant visa-free access for up to 90 days has already yielded positive results.

Tourism, business travel and cultural exchanges have grown.

This is a clear demonstration of how reducing barriers can bring Africans closer together and advance the vision of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.

Trade between our countries continues to grow.

Kenyan exports to South Africa are expanding, creating greater balance and mutual benefit.

We are proud of the milestone we achieved when South Africa and Kenya launched the first consignments traded under the AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative.

This shows that the AfCFTA is not just an aspiration. It is a living instrument that is already transforming intra-African trade.

There is still much potential to unlock.

We must continue to improve logistics, facilitate easier movement of business people and promote investment partnerships.

Opportunities abound in infrastructure, automotive manufacturing, agro-processing, digital innovation, renewable energy, healthcare and education.

I welcome the growing cooperation between Kenya Airways and South African Airways, which is improving connectivity and strengthening tourism and business exchanges.

We recognise Kenya's leadership in digital innovation and renewable energy - areas where our collaboration can make a real difference to Africa's development and resilience.

We meet at a time of global uncertainty.

We are all affected by conflicts on our continent, in the Middle East, Ukraine and other parts of the world.

African countries are feeling the impact of rising fuel prices, inflation and constrained growth.

Our position is clear: dialogue and diplomacy must prevail over confrontation.

South Africa and Kenya share a commitment to multilateralism and peaceful resolution of disputes.

We stand for a rules-based international order applied fairly and universally.

South Africa and Kenya continue to play important roles in seeking solutions to conflicts in our respective regions and on our continent.

Together, our countries have stood firmly for dialogue, reconciliation and African-led processes to resolve disputes.

We remain committed to working side by side, within the African Union and regional organisations, to prevent conflict, support peace negotiations and strengthen democratic governance.

Our continent must speak with one voice, guided by our own interests and aspirations.

Partnerships with the world must be based on respect, equality and shared prosperity.

We reiterate our call for reform of global institutions - including the UN Security Council and international financial bodies - to better reflect today's realities and give Africa its rightful voice.

Africa requires equitable access to climate finance and technology to support a just energy transition.

At the same time, we must undertake a digital transformation that advances inclusion and innovation.

South Africa and Kenya can lead in areas such as artificial intelligence, fintech and cybersecurity.

As we look ahead, our cooperation must place people at the centre, creating opportunities for youth, empowering women and promoting inclusive growth.

Allow me once again to warmly welcome you and your delegation.

May this State Visit deepen our friendship and contribute meaningfully to Africa's unity and prosperity.

Working together, South Africa and Kenya can help shape a peaceful, integrated and thriving African continent.

I thank you.