Ruto woos Russian investors for ‘partnerships of mutual benefit’

Speaking during the Russia-Kenya Business Roundtable in Moscow on October 28, 2026, the president told investors that he was seeking to build a partnership where both countries can share prosperity. 

“This is the partnership we invite Russian investors to build: One that combines Russian capital, technology and industrial expertise with Kenya’s resources, talent, and access to African markets. A partnership in which both countries contribute, both benefit and both prosper,” Ruto said.

The president noted that Russia’s expertise in energy, mining, fertiliser production, engineering, transport and manufacturing aligned with Kenya’s industrialisation priorities.

“We seek to deepen our partnership with Russia, whose expertise in energy, mining, fertiliser production, engineering, transport, and manufacturing aligns closely with our industrialisation priorities,” he said. 

The president also noted that for long, Africa’s engagement with the global economy has been defined by the export of raw materials and the importation of manufactured goods, with much of this value, industry and employment being created elsewhere. 

This, according to Ruto, has constrained Africa’s industrial development and denied it full economic benefits. 

Now, Kenya is determined to pursue a different path which seeks partnerships founded on a mutual benefit rather than a relationship of dependency. 

“We seek partnerships founded on sovereign equality, mutual respect, and shared prosperity. Not relationships of dependency, but partnerships of mutual benefit,” he said.

Ruto also noted that Kenya’s ambition is not to divide existing value differently but to create more value together and share in the prosperity it generates. 

“Our ambition is not to divide existing value differently, but to create more value together and share in the prosperity it generates,” he said. 

The President called on Russian companies to invest in local manufacturing, agricultural processing and mineral beneficiation, arguing that Kenya needed to move beyond exporting raw materials and importing finished products.

According to Ruto, the bilateral trade between Kenya and Russia stood at $380 million in 2025, where Kenya exported goods worth $52 million, mainly tea, coffee, flowers, fruits and vegetables, while imports from Russia amounted to 330 million dollars, including wheat, fertilisers, iron and steel products.

Russian investment in Kenya was estimated at 22 million dollars, figures which Ruto said the country needed to explore potential areas for expanded economic partnership.

“These figures challenge us to rethink the nature of our partnership,” he said. 

Ruto further urged Russian enterprises to establish production facilities and partnerships with Kenyan firms, using the country as a base for regional and international expansion.

“Invest in Kenya, manufacture in Kenya, and serve Africa and the world from Kenya,” he said.

He added that the success of the partnership should be measured by projects completed, industries established and jobs created, rather than agreements signed alone.