President William Ruto arrived in Doha, Qatar, on the evening of Monday, November 3, 2025, for a multi-day visit combining high-level economic diplomacy with participation in the United Nations Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2). According to a statement from State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, the trip is designed to strengthen bilateral ties, secure new investments for Kenya's key economic sectors, and advocate for Africa's development priorities on the global stage.

Economic Diplomacy and Investment Push

A primary objective of the visit is to finalize investment agreements aimed at modernizing Kenya's infrastructure and advancing flagship projects in energy and transport. The Kenyan delegation is seeking to attract significant Qatari investment into agriculture, with a specific focus on food security and climate-smart farming, as well as renewable energy, green hydrogen, health, tourism, and logistics. This aligns with Kenya's broader strategy to boost foreign direct investment (FDI) as part of its national development agenda. President Ruto is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to deepen cooperation in trade and investment.

The economic discussions occur against a backdrop of a significant trade imbalance. In 2023, Kenyan exports to Qatar were valued at approximately $17.47 million, while imports from the Gulf nation stood at $59.82 million. Another key agenda item is the expansion of the Kenya-Qatar Bilateral Labour Agreement. The President aims to negotiate the inclusion of more professional and technical roles for Kenyans, creating new employment opportunities and enhancing the skills of the diaspora workforce that already numbers close to 70,000.

Championing Africa at the UN World Social Summit

The visit coincides with the Second World Summit for Social Development, a three-day event running from November 4-6, 2025, at the Qatar National Convention Centre. The summit, convened by the UN General Assembly, aims to address gaps and renew commitments made at the first summit in Copenhagen in 1995, focusing on poverty reduction, decent work, and social inclusion. It serves as a critical platform for advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

President Ruto is slated to deliver statements on behalf of both Kenya and the Africa Group. His address is expected to call for fairer global financial systems, universal access to essential services, and reforms to enhance African representation in international organizations. This role underscores Kenya's position as a key regional player and its commitment to multilateralism in addressing global challenges. The African continent's agenda at such forums consistently advocates for policies that create more equitable economic systems and address historical developmental imbalances.

Context of Kenya-Qatar Relations

Diplomatic relations between Kenya and Qatar were formally established in 2003. Previous engagements have led to cooperation agreements in sectors like trade, energy, transport, and tourism. While a significant 2008 proposal for Qatar to lease Kenyan land for agricultural projects in exchange for funding the LAPSSET corridor project did not materialize, it signaled a long-standing interest in bilateral economic partnerships. This visit seeks to build on past discussions and translate them into tangible projects that support Kenya's economic transformation, particularly in light of the government's ambition to significantly increase FDI inflows.