Jobs boost as the United Kingdom (UK) and Kenya bolster economic and security partnership
The UK and Kenya will also increase collaboration to tackle organised crime, human trafficking and illicit finance through the UK-Kenya Security Compact
The UK and Kenya will commit to a new Strategic Partnership as Kenyan President Ruto visits London
The UK and Kenya will commit to working together to drive economic growth, protect climate and nature, foster collaboration in science and technology and strengthen regional security.
During a visit to the UK by the President of Kenya, a pipeline of trade and investment deals worth over £1bn to the UK economy were agreed which will deliver on this government's commitment to boost jobs and prosperity back in the UK, as part of the government's Plan for Change.
This includes the launch of a tender for a major urban redevelopment project in Nairobi which has been inspired by the regeneration of London's Kings Cross.
The Nairobi Railway City project has already provided opportunities to UK businesses with British architecture firm Atkins UK chosen to design the central rail station and public square.
The Government of Kenya is exploring funding the project through finance mobilised by the UK's Export Credit Agency, UK Export Finance, which will create UK jobs in engineering, technical and legal services.
Both countries also agreed stronger cooperation to disrupt the air, land and sea routes used by organised crime groups to prevent illegal migrants transiting through Kenya in attempts to reach Libya and other countries before travelling on to Europe. Four of the top ten countries for Small Boat arrivals in the UK are near neighbours of Kenya (Eritrea, Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia).
Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, said:
"Through our shared history and values the UK and Kenya have always had a close connection."
"Now we are building a shared future; a modern, innovative and respectful partnership which is delivering real benefits – boosting growth and creating jobs for both Kenyans and the British people. We're going far, together."
The UK and Kenya have also committed to increased defence and counter terrorism collaboration, including joint training and the creation of a new counter insurgency, terrorism and stability operations centre.
Defence sales worth over £70m were agreed during the visit supporting manufacturing jobs in County Durham, Northamptonshire and Surrey. Kenya hosts the UK's most significant military footprint in Africa, including a facility that trains 3,000 UK troops a year.
The UK's world leading financial services sector will also benefit; Lloyd's of London will announce today that they will be joining the Nairobi International Finance Centre, which will deepen the partnership between two leading financial centres providing access to up to £500m of insurance market potential in Kenya and the East Africa region.
The two countries also committed to explore the potential of a bilateral digital trade agreement. Dubbed 'Silicon Savannah', the value of Kenya's tech sector is projected to reach £11.5bn by 2032.
A digital trade agreement will open up opportunities in the sector for UK Plc.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The National
9 minutes ago
- The National
US and EU strike an 'across the board' agreement on tariffs
US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday they had reached a deal to end a transatlantic tariff dispute, averting the risk of a full-scale trade war. Mr Trump and Ms Von der Leyen held private talks at one of Mr Trump's golf courses in Scotland and later announced what the US President called an 'across-the-board' agreement. The breakthrough comes just days before an August 1 deadline for the European Union to strike a deal with Washington or face a sweeping 30 per cent US tariff on EU goods. 'We have reached a deal. It's a good deal for everybody,' Mr Trump told reporters. Mr Trump said the deal involved a baseline levy of 15 per cent on EU exports to the United States, the same level secured by Japan, including for the bloc's crucial auto sector, which is currently being taxed at 25 per cent. 'We are agreeing that the tariff straight across, for cars and everything else, will be a straight across tariff of 15 per cent,' he added. Mr Trump also said the bloc had agreed to purchase "$750 billion worth of energy' from the United States, as well as $600 billion more in additional investments in the country. Negotiating on behalf of the EU's 27 countries, Ms Von der Leyen's European Commission had been pushing hard to salvage a trading relationship worth an annual $1.9 trillion in goods and services. 'It's a good deal,' the EU chief told reporters, sitting alongside Mr Trump following their hour-long talks. 'It will bring stability. It will bring predictability. That's very important for our businesses on both sides of the Atlantic,' she said. The EU has been hit by multiple waves of tariffs since Mr Trump reclaimed the White House. It is currently subject to a 25 per cent levy on cars, 50 per cent on steel and aluminium, and an across-the-board tariff of 10 per cent, which Washington threatens to hike to 30 per cent in a no-deal scenario. Brussels has been focused on getting a deal to avoid sweeping tariffs that would further harm its sluggish economy with retaliation held out as a last resort.


Khaleej Times
6 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Trump, EU chief seek deal in transatlantic tariffs standoff
US President Donald Trump and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen prepared to meet Sunday in Scotland in a push to resolve a months-long transatlantic trade standoff that is going down to the wire. Trump has said he sees a 50-50 chance of reaching a deal with the European Union, having vowed to hit dozens of countries with punitive tariffs unless they hammer out a pact with Washington by August 1. The EU is currently facing the threat of an across-the-board levy of 30 percent from that date. Von der Leyen's European Commission, negotiating on behalf of the EU's member countries, has been pushing hard for a deal to salvage a trading relationship worth an annual $1.9 trillion in goods and services. Any deal with the United States will need approval by all 27 member states. EU ambassadors, on a visit to Greenland, were to meet Sunday morning to discuss the latest negotiations -- and again after any accord. Sunday's sit-down between Trump and the EU chief was to take place at 4:30 pm (1530 GMT) in Turnberry, on Scotland's southwestern coast, where Trump owns a luxury golf resort. The 79-year-old American leader said Friday he hoped to strike "the biggest deal of them all" with the EU. "I think we have a good 50-50 chance" of a deal, the president said, citing sticking points on "maybe 20 different things". He praised von der Leyen as "a highly respected woman" -- a far cry from his erstwhile hostility in accusing the EU of existing to "screw" the United States. But late-night EU talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Saturday to hammer out the final details were "combative at times," The Financial Times reported. As of Saturday evening, there were "still quite a few open questions" -- notably on pharmaceutical sector tariffs, said one EU diplomat. Tariff levels on the auto sector were also crucial for the Europeans -- notably France and Germany -- and the EU has been pushing for a compromise on steel that could allow a certain quota into the United States before tariffs would apply. Baseline 15% According to European diplomats, the deal on the table involves a baseline levy of around 15 percent on EU exports to the United States -- the level secured by Japan -- with carve-outs for critical sectors including aircraft, lumber and spirits excluding wine. The EU would commit to ramp up purchases of US liquefied natural gas, along with a series of investment pledges. Hit by multiple waves of tariffs since Trump reclaimed the White House, the EU is currently subject to a 25-percent levy on cars, 50 percent on steel and aluminium, and an across-the-board tariff of 10 percent, which Washington threatens to hike to 30 percent in a no-deal scenario. The EU has focused on getting a deal with Washington to avoid sweeping tariffs that would further harm its sluggish economy, with retaliation as a last resort. While 15 percent would be much higher than pre-existing US tariffs on European goods -- at 4.8 percent -- it would mirror the status quo, with companies already facing an additional flat rate of 10 percent. Should talks fail, EU states have greenlit counter tariffs on $109 billion (93 billion euros) of US goods including aircraft and cars to take effect in stages from August 7. Brussels is also drawing up a list of US services to potentially target. Beyond that, countries like France say Brussels should not be afraid to deploy a so-called trade "bazooka" -- EU legislation designed to counter coercion through trade measures which involves restricting access to its market and public contracts. But such a step would mark a major escalation with Washington. Ratings dropping Trump has embarked since returning to power on a campaign to reshape US trade with the world. But polls suggest the American public is unconvinced, with a recent Gallup survey showing his approval rating at 37 percent -- down 10 points from January. Having promised "90 deals in 90 days," Trump's administration has so far unveiled five, including with Britain, Japan and the Philippines. Early Sunday, ahead of his meeting with Von der Leyen, Trump was out again on the golf course, having spent most of Saturday playing at Turnberry amid tight security. The trip to Scotland has put physical distance between Trump and the scandal around Jeffrey Epstein, the wealthy financier accused of sex trafficking who died in prison in 2019 before facing trial. In his heyday, Epstein was friends with Trump and others in the New York jet-set, but the president is facing backlash from his own MAGA supporters demanding access to the Epstein case files. With the uproar refusing to die down, a headline agreement with the EU -- in addition to bolstering Trump's dealmaker credentials -- could bring a welcome distraction.


Zawya
7 hours ago
- Zawya
ADFD advances Maldives aviation sector through the Inauguration of Velana International Airport project
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Aligned with its commitment to its strategic sustainable development goals, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) participated in the inauguration the Velana International Airport, a landmark project that aims to significantly enhance Maldives' infrastructure. With a total investment of AED 330.5 million (USD 90 million) from ADFD, the project was implemented in two phases, receiving co-financing from Saudi Fund for Development, Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, and OPEC Fund for International Development. This cooperation highlights the shared commitment of regional development institutions to support high impact projects in developing nations to contribute to an inclusive, sustainable growth. Attending the inauguration ceremony, which coincided with Maldives' 60th independence anniversary, were His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Republic of Maldives, His Excellency Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director-General of ADFD, and His Excellency Rahma bin Abdulrahman Al Shamsi, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Maldives, along with senior officials from both nations and from Saudi Fund for Development, Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, and OPEC Fund for International Development. ADFD's funding played a critical role in enhancing the operational capacity of Velana International Airport, accommodating over 7 million passengers annually meeting the nation's growing travel demand. The project included the expansion of the airport's western passenger terminal, the implementation of 26 passenger boarding bridges, and the construction of a state-of-the-art international terminal. These enhancements reinforce the Maldives' position as a key hub for commercial, tourism, and investment activities, and underscore the Fund's commitment to supporting impactful, sustainable projects that improve the quality of life in communities. H.E. Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Republic of Maldives, during the ceremony, expressed his sincere appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, for the continuous support from the UAE to advance Maldives' national goals. He said: "ADFD's financing of Velana International Airport, in partnership with international collaborators, reflects our shared commitment to achieving sustainable development goals and demonstrates a long-term strategic vision for infrastructure development and growth in developing nations. The opening of this airport will further enhance the Maldives' position in the global aviation sector." His Excellency Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director-General of ADFD, highlighted that this collaborative development is a testament to ADFD's dedication to supporting the sustainable development goals of its partner nations. He reaffirmed the Fund's mission towards strengthening strategic partnerships between regional development institutions and international organizations, fostering broader and more sustainable developmental impacts. Al Suwaidi said: 'Through our partnership with the Government of Maldives and regional development institutions, we have collectively contributed to country's economic and social growth. Coinciding with the Maldives' Independence Day celebrations, the inauguration of Velana International Airport underscores our ongoing commitment to ensuring greater resource efficiency and supporting our partner nations to build a resilient economy and prosperous future.' ADFD's partnership with Maldives dates to 1978. Over the past four decades, the Fund financed 11 strategic projects with a total investment of AED 1.11 billion, spanning across key sectors including transportation, tourism, healthcare, and energy. ADFD played a critical role in supporting Maldives' economic activities and enabling the country to achieve its sustainable development objectives.