Keypoints:
- £1bn trade and investment deals sealed
- UK firms tapped for Nairobi rail project
- Joint action agreed on crime and migration
THE UK and Kenya have signed a landmark agreement totalling more than £1bn in trade, infrastructure, defence and digital innovation deals, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) announced Monday. The deal was formalised during Kenyan President William Ruto’s visit to London.
Investment to power cities and boost UK jobs
The package includes the launch of a major urban renewal project in Nairobi modelled on London’s King’s Cross regeneration. Dubbed the Nairobi Railway City, the development has already awarded design contracts to British firm Atkins UK, with future funding expected through UK Export Finance. The scheme promises engineering, legal and technical opportunities for UK-based firms.
Coordinated response to regional crime
Security cooperation was also strengthened, with both governments agreeing to disrupt land, air and sea routes used by organised criminal groups. These routes are frequently used by illegal migrants transiting through Kenya en route to Europe. Four of the top 10 source countries for small boat arrivals in the UK – Eritrea, Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia – are Kenya’s near neighbours.
The partnership includes deeper defence collaboration, joint military training, and the establishment of a new counter-insurgency and stability operations centre. Defence contracts worth over £70 million were signed, supporting UK jobs in Durham, Northamptonshire and Surrey. Kenya already hosts Britain’s largest military footprint in Africa.
Finance and tech sectors set to gain
The UK’s financial services industry is also expanding its footprint in East Africa. Lloyd’s of London will join the Nairobi International Financial Centre, creating access to an estimated £500 million in regional insurance markets.
The two nations further committed to exploring a bilateral digital trade agreement, building on Kenya’s booming tech sector – nicknamed ‘Silicon Savannah’ – which is forecast to reach £11.5bn in value by 2032.
Shared values, shared future
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the agreement as a modern and respectful partnership.
‘Through our shared history and values, the UK and Kenya have always had a close connection. Now we are building a shared future – one that boosts growth and creates jobs for both Kenyans and the British people. We’re going far, together.’
The agreements align with the UK’s Plan for Change strategy to promote domestic prosperity through global trade while strengthening international cooperation on climate, migration and security.
