Kenya and the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) to enhance economic collaboration between the two countries.

These agreements cover cooperation in military affairs, economic development, energy, transport, customs, the establishment of a joint business council, and railway development.

Witnessing the signing of the agreements, President William Ruto stated that Kenya is strengthening security collaboration at the regional and global levels to promote peace and stability.

“At State House Nairobi, I witnessed the signing of seven memoranda of understanding between Kenya and the UAE, alongside His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates,” he said.

We are focused on deepening diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and delivering on our Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to ensure we strengthen economic collaboration for the mutual benefit of our two nations.

We are also strengthening security… pic.twitter.com/xzFfwQ2hD9

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) May 8, 2025

The signing

The MoU on military cooperation was signed by Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, and Soipan Tuya, the Cabinet Secretary for Defence. 

The agreement commits both nations to collaborate under national laws and international obligations to boost national security, strengthen defence capacity, build institutional partnerships, and promote regional peace and stability.

 On the other hand, the MoU on Transport Cooperation was signed by Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan and Davis Chirchir, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Roads and Transport.

Further, the Bilateral Framework Agreement on Economic Development was signed by H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan and Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning John Mbadi.

The agreement on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters was signed by Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan and Humphrey Wattanga, Commissioner General of the Kenya Revenue Authority.

Other agreements

 The MoU between the UAE Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry to establish the UAE-Kenya Joint Business Council was signed by Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri, Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs, and Erick Ruto, Kenyan Chamber President.

Additionally, the MoU on Energy Cooperation was signed by Dr. Salem Ibrahim Al Naqbi, UAE Ambassador to Kenya, and Alex Kamau Wachira, who is the Principal Secretary for Energy and Petroleum.

 Whereas the MoU between Etihad Rail and Kenya Railways, focusing on knowledge sharing, feasibility studies, testing new technologies, and exploring further areas of cooperation for industrial development, was signed by Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail, and Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga.

This comes a few months after the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in Abu Dhabi, UAE, in January 2025.