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Kenya–Singapore relations

Kenya – Singapore relations
Map indicating locations of Kenya and Singapore

Kenya
Singapore

Kenya–Singapore relations are bilateral relations between Kenya and Singapore. Both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

History

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President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, visited Singapore in September 2019 for the Singapore Summit. He also met and held talks with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Both leaders signed a few agreements including:[1][2]

  • FinTech Cooperation Agreement - to support digital infrastructure development in Kenya
  • Bilateral Investment Treaty

In addition to the 2019 state visit, bilateral engagement between Kenya and Singapore has steadily grown since the establishment of formal diplomatic ties. Singapore has provided capacity‑building support to Kenyan professionals through the Singapore Cooperation Programme, which offers training in public administration, finance, urban development, and other areas [3]. Kenyan officials and students have also participated in short‑term scholarships and exchange programs in Singapore, particularly in fields such as aviation management and port logistics. The two countries continue to cooperate within multilateral platforms such as the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations, often sharing common positions on sustainable development and trade facilitation, as demonstrated by their 2023 MOU on Skills Development that promotes knowledge exchange, capacity‑building courses, and cooperation in leadership, education, and digitalization[4].

Trade

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Total trade is approximately KES. 6.1 billion (US$61.3 million) S$85.4 million in 2017.[5]

Kenya exported goods worth KES. 1 billion (US$10 million) S$13.9 million to Singapore. Singapore exported goods worth KES. 5.16 billion (US$51.3 million) S$71.4 million.[5]

Kenya's main exports to Singapore include: tea, fruits, nuts and vegetables.[6]

Singapore's main exports to Kenya include: synthetic fibers and polymers.[6]

Enterprise Singapore opened its 3rd Sub-Saharan Africa office in Nairobi in 2018.[7]

Diplomatic missions

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Kenya's High Commission in New Delhi is accredited to Singapore.[8] Singapore's mission to Kenya is based in Singapore.[9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ [1]. PM Lee meets visiting leaders from Kenya, Japan. Retrieved on 16 February 2020.
  2. ^ [2]. Visit by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta - Sep 2019. Retrieved on 16 February 2020.
  3. ^ "Sub-Saharan Africa". www.mfa.gov.sg. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  4. ^ koh_yong_sheng (2023-05-19). "PMO | PM Lee Hsien Loong at the Joint Press Conference with Kenyan President William Ruto (May 2023)". Prime Minister's Office Singapore. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  5. ^ a b [3]. Singapore, Kenya ink two pacts to boost investment flows. Retrieved on 16 February 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Kenya inks deal with Singapore to eliminate double taxation - Xinhua | English.news.cn". www.xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on 2018-06-13. Retrieved 2025-05-27.
  7. ^ Heng, Janice (2018-06-13). "Enterprise Singapore opens overseas centre in Kenya". The Business Times. Retrieved 2025-05-27.
  8. ^ [4]. Find A Singapore Overseas Mission | KENYA. Retrieved on 16 February 2020.
  9. ^ [5]. Foreign Representative to Singapore | KENYA. Retrieved on 16 February 2020.