Ruto jets out for high-level meetings in Japan
By Steve Ireri, August 18, 2025President William Ruto is expected to leave Kenya this evening, Monday, August 18, 2025, for Japan to attend the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama.
On arrival, he is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, highlighting Kenya’s focus on strengthening trade, investment, and development ties with Japan.
In a press release issued on the same day by State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, the President’s itinerary was outlined, noting that discussions will focus on key infrastructure projects, including the Mombasa Port expansion, the Mombasa Port Area Road Development, the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone, and Nairobi’s urban transport systems.
“Japan’s longstanding development partnership with Kenya has grown to over KSh600 billion, making Kenya the leading recipient of Japanese support in Africa. The visit is therefore expected to consolidate Kenya-Japan relations by expanding opportunities in trade, investment, and development cooperation,” the presser read in part.
Other areas of cooperation highlighted in the statement include agriculture, forestry, and climate change, with Japan supporting irrigation rehabilitation and reforestation efforts in Kenya.
“Other areas of collaboration include agriculture, forestry, and climate change, with Japan already supporting the rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure and reforestation efforts. Both countries will further explore expanding educational exchanges in Science, Technology, and Innovation to develop skilled talent.”
The statement added that President Ruto will also use the TICAD 9 platform to advocate for deeper African integration and connectivity, emphasising the African Continental Free Trade Area as a driver of inclusive growth.
It noted that the president will urge the removal of trade barriers and seek stronger partnerships with Japan to boost investment in priority sectors while upgrading infrastructure, energy, logistics, and digital networks to better link Africa with global markets.
“At TICAD 9, President Ruto will call for deeper African integration and connectivity to unlock economic potential. He will emphasise the African Continental Free Trade Area as a driver of inclusive growth, urge the removal of trade barriers, and seek stronger partnerships with Japan to boost investment in priority sectors. He will also highlight the need to upgrade infrastructure, energy, logistics, and digital networks to better link Africa with global markets,” the statement added.
The office of the president further stated that, on the sidelines of the summit, President Ruto will be received at the Imperial Palace by Their Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, in addition to the bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Ishiba.
These engagements are expected to explore avenues for expanding educational exchanges in science, technology, and innovation, as well as other collaborative initiatives aimed at developing skilled talent in Kenya.