Malaysia–Kenya High-Level Business Forum Strengthens Bilateral Trade and Investment Ties
Kenya and Malaysia held the Malaysia–Kenya High Level Business Forum in Nairobi, where leaders from both countries committed to deepening bilateral cooperation through new investments, technology partnerships and strengthened trade relations. The forum, attended by Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Bin Ibrahim, the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Investment Promotion, Mr. Abubakar Hassan Abubakar, marked a significant step in advancing economic engagement between the two nations as they celebrate 60 years of diplomatic ties.
The meeting brought together government officials, senior representatives from the Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and leading companies from both countries to exchange opportunities in manufacturing, ICT, digital ecosystems, agriculture, energy and financial technology. The forum served as a platform to outline strategic areas of cooperation, discuss market access and reinforce the commitment of both governments to facilitate private sector-led growth.
A central highlight of the event was the signing of five Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) across sectors such as behavioral analytics, banking and finance, ICT, risk management and digital ecosystems. These agreements, signed between leading Malaysian and Kenyan companies including AIID Limited, Cytec, Vivacom Limited, Bharat Telecom Networks, NUMA Solutions, Fintech Africa, B Smart System Solutions and Union International signalled the strong appetite for private-sector collaboration and the commitment to deepen technological and commercial ties between the two countries.
In his address, Prime Minister Anwar Bin Ibrahim emphasized Malaysia’s strategic shift toward expanding global economic partnerships and diversifying away from traditional export markets. He noted that Malaysia’s economy grew at 5.2%, supported by a strong manufacturing base that accounts for 80% of the country’s exports. “Malaysia is looking to develop deeper engagement with Africa and Kenya presents an ideal entry point for Malaysian businesses,” he said. The Prime Minister highlighted opportunities for collaboration in energy, manufacturing, agriculture and encouraged businesses from both nations to drive commercial partnerships forward. “I urge Malaysian and Kenyan businesses to take the lead in exploiting the vast potential for trade and investment. The private sector must be at the forefront of building these bridges,” he stated.
Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Investment Promotion, Mr. Abubakar Hassan Abubakar, welcomed the Malaysian delegation and underscored the strategic importance of the forum. He emphasized Kenya’s stable political environment, liberalized economy and well-developed investment climate supported by robust infrastructure, skilled human capital and a competitive incentive framework. “Diplomacy has been elevated to a strategic level and Kenya’s message to investors is clear: Kenya is open, ready and safe for investment,” he said.
PS Abubakar highlighted Kenya’s unique strengths, including its 92% renewable energy mix, a productive workforce, abundant resources and strong market access through the EAC, COMESA and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He called for collaboration in education and research to grow human capital and encouraged Malaysian companies to explore investments in manufacturing, logistics, technology and value-added agriculture. “Kenya offers competitive advantages supported by stable economic fundamentals, extensive infrastructure, strong incentive regimes through our SEZs and EPZs and the availability of capital for investors seeking to scale their operations,” he remarked.
Discussions throughout the forum emphasized the complementary strengths of both economies. Malaysia’s advanced manufacturing and digital capabilities, combined with Kenya’s position as East Africa’s economic hub and gateway to the continent, present fertile ground for strategic investments and new business ventures. Participants also explored areas of collaboration in green energy, public–private partnerships, digital transformation and financial technology.
As the forum concluded, both governments reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining momentum generated by the high-level dialogue. The leaders encouraged companies on both sides to continue engaging and identifying high-potential projects that deepen bilateral ties. The meeting ended with a shared vision of building resilient industries, unlocking new value chains and advancing shared prosperity between Malaysia and Kenya.