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Kenya and South Africa are preparing to strengthen their agricultural and trade partnership through a new cooperation agreement expected to be signed during Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe’s official visit to Pretoria next week.
The visit, scheduled for June 4, will bring together senior government officials from both countries for discussions aimed at enhancing bilateral relations and addressing challenges that have long affected agricultural trade between the two nations.
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According to a statement, the talks will focus on improving market access for agricultural products, eliminating non-tariff barriers, and facilitating smoother movement of goods across borders.
Officials from Kenya and South Africa are expected to engage in detailed discussions on measures designed to ease restrictions that have slowed agricultural exports and imports between the two countries.
The engagement is viewed as a major step toward unlocking new opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses, particularly given South Africa’s position as one of Africa’s leading agricultural producers and economic powerhouses.
A key highlight of the visit will be the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation in agriculture. The agreement is expected to strengthen collaboration in areas such as agricultural trade, research, technology transfer, value addition, food security, and investment.
The proposed partnership also aligns with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to enhance economic integration and increase trade among African nations by reducing trade barriers.
Kagwe’s trip will take place alongside President William Ruto’s three-day State Visit to South Africa from June 3 to June 5, 2026, at the invitation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The South African Presidency said the visit reflects the strong and mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries, which was re-established in 1994 following the end of apartheid.
“South Africa regards Kenya as a strategic partner in East Africa and across the continent,” the Presidency stated, emphasizing the importance of the longstanding diplomatic ties.
Against this backdrop, Kagwe is expected to hold parallel discussions centered on agriculture and trade, with special attention on removing non-tariff barriers that continue to affect the efficient movement of agricultural products between Kenya and South Africa.
