President William Ruto has expressed happiness over the decision of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to set up its African continental office in Nairobi, Kenya. The move is expected to increase support for small businesses and push for more public-private partnerships across the country. The President described the development as a major step that will help boost the economy and provide financial opportunities for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which are seen as important drivers of job creation and innovation in Kenya.
President Ruto made this statement while attending the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development held in Seville, Spain. During the event, he met with the President of EBRD, Ms. Odile Renaud-Basso, and the two leaders discussed areas of cooperation and the next steps for the bank’s expansion into Africa. The EBRD President assured Ruto that the bank’s operations in Africa will align with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which focuses on uplifting low-income earners, improving access to capital, and growing small businesses.
The President confirmed that the formal ratification of the EBRD’s decision is already before the Kenyan Parliament, and he urged lawmakers to move quickly in approving it so that operations can begin without delay. Ruto and Ms. Renaud-Basso agreed on a wide-ranging engagement plan that includes climate finance support, green investments, and organising an investor conference in Nairobi later in the year. This planned investment meeting is expected to attract international players interested in climate-friendly projects and economic partnerships in Kenya and the wider East African region.
The EBRD’s decision to pick Nairobi as its continental hub is seen as a sign of confidence in Kenya’s growing economy and its political stability. It is also expected to strengthen Nairobi’s position as a financial and investment centre for the African continent. President Ruto pointed out that this partnership would help improve access to long-term capital for businesses in Kenya, especially those operating in the agriculture, manufacturing, and renewable energy sectors.
Still in Seville, President Ruto also held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Mr. Denys Shmyhal. The two leaders agreed to deepen diplomatic relations between Kenya and Ukraine for mutual benefit. Ruto said that both countries were working on creating more educational opportunities, especially for Kenyan students who wish to study in Ukrainian institutions. He said the plan will offer students access to high-quality education and help improve Kenya’s human capital.
Food security was also a key issue in the discussion between President Ruto and Prime Minister Shmyhal. Ruto said Kenya is eager to work with Ukraine, one of the world’s biggest grain producers, to tackle food shortages and improve access to affordable food items. He explained that the Kenyan government is looking at how Ukraine can use the port of Mombasa as a distribution point for key commodities across the East African region. According to the President, this kind of logistics partnership will help lower transport costs and make food and other essential items more available.
Ruto further noted that Ukraine and Kenya can work together in the areas of trade, information and communication technology (ICT), and innovation. He said such cooperation would benefit both nations by opening new markets and creating opportunities for young entrepreneurs. Both leaders also spoke about the need to support peace, security, and multilateral diplomacy. They agreed to promote regional and global stability through peacekeeping efforts and active participation in international organisations like the United Nations.
President Ruto’s meetings in Spain are part of a broader strategy to increase Kenya’s influence on global platforms and bring home international investments. With Kenya positioning itself as a gateway to Africa, the President said he would continue to push for partnerships that deliver long-term benefits for the country.
