Kenya and Italy Agree on Cooperation Roadmap Under Mattei Plan During Ruto’s Visit
From 19 to 21 April 2026, Kenyan President William Ruto was on a state visit to Italy. Kenya and Italy signed several agreements across diverse sectors, including climate resilience, security enhancement, and capacity building.
Under Italy’s #MatteiPlan, the two sides launched a three-year Joint Action Plan. The identified priority areas for cooperation are as follows:
- Trade and investment
- Renewable energy and climate resilience
- Agriculture and #FoodSecurity
- Digital Economy and Innovation
- Water and Infrastructure
Ruto is hoping Italy will be able to finance Kenya’s infrastructure, particularly in the agricultural irrigation and renewable energy sectors. Italy also views Kenya as a key partner in East Africa.
Kenya is positioning itself as the East Africa Regional Hub with the seaport of Mombasa as the gateway into the region. Kenya is seeking financing and partners to finance and build the regional railway to link up neighboring or landlocked countries.
Additionally, the Defense Cooperation MoU covers capacity building and intelligence sharing and strengthens Kenya’s role as a Regional Security Hub. Kenya seeks to contribute more in enhancing Maritime Security and countering terrorism in the Horn of Africa.
Kenya is eager to move up the global value chain; it does not want to just export cheap coffee beans and leather forever, but wants to export higher value-added products, with the support of Italy. However, strict EU standards and phytosanitary protocols (#PSP) may prove to be quite a hurdle.
In addition to meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and PM Giorgia Meloni, Ruto also engaged with Italian investors and interacted with the Kenyan diaspora in Italy. Ruto delivered a powerful speech at the LUISS University that makes the case for Africa to move from the periphery to the center of the world.