Kenya has signed a series of cooperation agreements in Yokohama City during the ongoing ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), securing support in financing, healthcare, industrial development, and e-mobility.
Among the key agreements was the Statement of Intent on the Samurai Bond, signed between the National Treasury and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance.
According to President William Ruto, “Our plan to access financing in the Japanese capital markets is a leap forward in our innovative policy of diversifying resource mobilisation for priority national development and transformation.”
Health cooperation also featured prominently.
Kenya’s Ministry of Health entered into an agreement with Japanese pharmaceutical firm Shionogi and Co. Ltd to accelerate access to Cefiderocol, an antibiotic used to treat bacterial pneumonia.
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The arrangement, supported by the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Foundation, will facilitate supply of the medicine in Kenya.
On industrial growth, a Memorandum of Cooperation on Human Resource Development was signed between the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institution and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, focusing on skills transfer and institutional strengthening.
President Ruto highlighted Kenya’s growing relationship with Japan, recalling collaborative projects such as geothermal energy development and the expansion of berths at the Port of Mombasa.
“Our strong and friendly relations with Japan have been deepened by the many successful projects we have collaborated in, and those we are now implementing,” Ruto stated.
On the sidelines of TICAD, Ruto held talks with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Tanaka Akihiko, commending JICA’s role in strengthening Kenya-Japan relations.
He also met Toyota Tsusho Corporation Chairman and CEO Toshimitsu Imai, accompanied by Toyota Kenya officials.
Kenya is deepening its partnership with Toyota in preparation for a shift towards clean mobility.
"We intend to acquire 5,000 e-mobility vehicles for our police officers and National Government Administration officials," the president said.
He added that the government expects Toyota and other partners not only to assemble electric vehicles locally but also to work towards full-scale manufacturing in Kenya.
By pursuing financing opportunities in Japan while expanding cooperation in health, industrial skills, and e-mobility, Kenya is positioning itself to diversify resources and accelerate its development agenda.
