We have a long-standing partnership with Kenya and cooperate in the country’s economic, security, and development policies. Despite being a lower middle-income country, Kenya still faces challenges in ensuring that the majority of its population is living in good conditions.
Our priorities
The European Union is a leading partner in Kenya. Together with EU countries, we are committed to supporting the country’s main objectives and its long-term development blueprint: Kenya Vision 2030 and its aims to transform Kenya into a newly industrialising, middle-income country providing high quality of life to all its citizens in a clean and secure environment.
Kenya’s development framework promotes political stability; broad-based and inclusive economic growth that generates jobs; environmental protection and the reduction of poverty and inequality. It presents key elements for cooperation in the economic, political and social sectors and is aligned with the EU’s values and priorities. The framework reflects the European Green Deal and creates jobs and growth – notably for the young population – innovation and digitalisation, governance, peace and stability, as well as democratic principles, human rights, gender equality and migration.
The EU and Kenya are committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the 2030 Agenda and to the Paris Agreement on climate. Together, we launched in June 2021 a strategic dialogue covering three key political and development areas:
Peace, security and stability
We collaborate with Kenya in regional fora to contribute to regional stability. We engage bilaterally in public governance (e.g. the fight against corruption and data protection), human rights, gender equality, rule of law and decentralisation among other issues. While assisting with pressures arising in its fragile north-eastern and coastal regions or resulting from the large number of refugees it hosts, we also engage with Kenya on security matters, with support and dialogue in counter terrorism, countering of violent extremism, justice sector reform, tackling illicit financial flows, cyber security or maritime security.
Sustainable, inclusive development and SDGs.
We engage with Kenya on development matters, with a focus on the Green Deal, digitalisation and social sectors. Engagement and dialogue relate to climate change, circular economy, green transition, blue economy, and agriculture among others, with a focus on job creation, decent work, labour and social rights. Digitalisation is an important area of cooperation, with a human centred approach and efforts in reducing the digital gap, promoting digital economy transformations and strengthening digital governance. Social sectors, such as health, education or vocational training are also covered, with a strong focus on youth and women.
Economy, trade and investment
With regards to trade, while affirming our objective to implement the Economic Partnership Agreement between EU and the East African Community initialled by all parties in 2014, the EU and Kenya intend to negotiate and agree on an interim Economic Partnership Agreement. Dialogue and support are also in place to engage on macroeconomic and public finance management, trade and business climate, small and medium-sized enterprise development, sustainable value chains and investment, with efforts to mobilise the European Funds for Sustainable Development in support of Kenya’s green transition and digitalisation notably.
Our programmes
The Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) for Kenya for 2021-2024 amounts to €324 million.
Priority area 1, ‘The green transition’, will support a paradigm shift towards an economic model that combines sustainable growth and decent job creation with environmental conservation and climate-resilience. This will include sustainable and circular economy, renewable energy, linking environmental sustainability to manufacturing, conservation and management of natural capital, resilience to climate shocks, climate-smart value chains, creation of decent work opportunities and a conducive and transparent business environment, with priority on youth and women.
Priority area 2, ‘Leave no-one behind and digitalisation’, will focus on human development, social inclusion, education, skills and inclusive urbanisation with youth and women as key beneficiaries. Digitalisation will be an important enabler and stronger links to the European private sector will be developed. Gender focus will be on gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive health and rights, and empowering women’s political participation.
Priority area 3, ‘Democratic governance, peace and stability’, will help advance transparency and accountability, including anti-corruption and public finance management, boosting service-delivery, legal and judicial empowerment, as well as the regional/’s peace and security agenda (security dialogue, support to Kenya’s role as a host of refugees).
The MIP will also support two Team Europe Initiatives (TEI) implemented in partnership with a dozen of EU Member States and supporting Kenya’s priorities. The TEI on the Green Deal is built on the EU’s strong engagement in the circular economy; climate-smart and sustainable agricultural value chains; renewable and accessible energy; natural capital and biodiversity; and sustainable urbanisation and infrastructure. The TEI on human-centred digitalisation will promote digital connectivity, jobs, skills, digital business and digital government.