Slovakia has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening economic and development cooperation with Kenya, announcing a series of initiatives designed to deepen bilateral trade, attract investment, and forge long-term institutional partnerships between the two nations.
Speaking during the Kenya-Slovakia Business and Development Forum in Nairobi, Slovak Republic Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanár described Kenya as Slovakia’s most crucial partner in East Africa, pledging support for a more structured and sustainable economic relationship.
“Slovakia considers Kenya its key partner in East Africa. We highly value Kenya’s strategic role as a regional economic hub, a centre of innovation, and an important gateway for trade and investment across the continent,” Blanár stated.
He noted that the visit by the largest-ever Slovak business delegation to Kenya marked the beginning of “a more dynamic and systematic process” to strengthen commercial ties and establish regular engagement between the two countries’ business communities.
The minister explained that Slovakia’s foreign policy prioritises expanding bilateral economic relations through an institutional framework that supports long-term cooperation built on trust, innovation, and shared prosperity.
“This visit should therefore be seen as the beginning of a more dynamic and systematic process aimed at deepening bilateral trade and investment ties between our two countries. We want to move towards a more structured and sustainable economic partnership supported by an institutional framework and regular dialogue between our business communities,” he elaborated.
A significant outcome of the forum was the signing of Memoranda of Understanding between the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO), the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), and the Kenya Investment Authority. Blanár described the agreements as a significant step towards institutionalising economic cooperation and facilitating greater engagement between investors from both countries.
He added that Slovakia is also open to establishing a joint trade committee with Kenya to sustain regular dialogue and pursue agreements on investment protection and the avoidance of double taxation to enhance the business environment and encourage increased investment flows.
“This agreement represents an important milestone in building a more institutionalised framework for bilateral economic cooperation between Slovakia and Kenya,” he affirmed.
Blanár highlighted Slovakia’s expertise in agriculture, digitalisation, healthcare, information and communication technology, green technologies, and defence, identifying these sectors as offering significant opportunities for partnerships with Kenya.
He noted that 35 Slovak companies and institutions had accompanied the delegation, reflecting growing interest in the Kenyan market and underscoring Slovakia’s commitment to linking business with development cooperation.
Among the flagship initiatives announced was a Slovak Aid-supported project to establish an electric vehicle charger assembly line in Nairobi, a partnership between Slovak company AgeWorld and Kenyan firm Nair Technologies.
According to the minister, the project demonstrates how development assistance can be combined with private sector investment to promote innovation, facilitate technology transfer, and strengthen local manufacturing capacity.
“This joint venture demonstrates how development cooperation combined with private sector partnership can effectively promote innovation, technology transfer, and the development of local industrial capacities,” he said.
Blanár also called for greater collaboration under the European Union’s Global Gateway Initiative through trilateral partnerships involving EU institutions, development financing, and private sector investment. He encouraged businesses from both countries to explore financing opportunities available through Slovak Aid and Exim Bank to support future joint ventures.
The minister concluded by urging both countries to build a partnership founded on mutual respect and long-term commitment amidst growing global uncertainty.
“I firmly believe that Slovakia and Kenya have all the prerequisites to build such a partnership. Let this forum serve not only as a platform for discussion but as a starting point for concrete cooperation, new investment, technological partnership, and stronger people-to-people ties between our countries,” Blanár said.
The Kenya-Slovakia Business and Development Forum brought together government officials, investors, development partners, and business leaders from both countries to explore new opportunities for trade, investment, and sustainable economic cooperation.
