Kenya and South Korea have agreed to mutually recognise seafarers’ certificates, opening new opportunities for maritime workers from both countries as Nairobi seeks to expand participation in the global shipping industry.
The agreement was reached after Kenyan President William Ruto held talks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Évian, France.
Under the arrangement, Kenyan seafarers will be able to operate on vessels travelling to South Korea without requiring additional certification, while Kenya will extend similar recognition to qualified South Korean maritime workers.
The deal forms part of Kenya’s broader effort to create more employment opportunities in the maritime sector and strengthen cooperation with international partners.
State House said the two leaders also reviewed progress on plans to establish permanent offices in Nairobi for the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
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The institutions are expected to deepen development cooperation and expand support for investment projects between the two countries.
President Ruto said Kenya and South Korea also discussed improving market access for Kenyan exports, including tea and coffee, as well as expanding labour cooperation to create more opportunities for Kenyan professionals.
“We further advanced discussions on preferential market access for Kenyan products, including tea and coffee, and explored expanding our bilateral labour arrangement to create more opportunities for Kenyans,” Ruto said.
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The talks were part of a series of bilateral meetings held by Ruto with global leaders during the G7 Summit, where Kenya, South Korea and Egypt participated as guest countries alongside members of the world’s largest economies.
Ruto also held discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, focusing on cooperation in agriculture, education and technology.
The two countries agreed to accelerate plans for a grain hub at the Port of Mombasa aimed at strengthening food security in East Africa.
The facility would allow Ukrainian grain supplies to be stored and distributed through Kenya’s main port, helping address food shortages and improve regional supply chains.
Kenya and Ukraine have signed agreements worth about 2 billion Kenyan shillings ($15 million) covering several areas of cooperation.
Zelenskyy said discussions with Ruto also focused on investment, agriculture and education partnerships.
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On the sidelines of the summit, Ruto also met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held talks with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga on Kenya’s development agenda and reforms to the global financial system.
Ruto welcomed World Bank support for efforts to improve access to capital and strengthen resilience in developing economies.
Germany was also highlighted as a key partner in Kenya’s trade and development agenda, with cooperation expanding in renewable energy, agriculture, digital transformation and support for small businesses.
Addressing G7 leaders, Ruto called for stronger partnerships between Africa and the global economy, arguing that the continent should be viewed as a source of investment and growth rather than only as a recipient of aid.
“If we are serious about accelerating global growth, then we must pay attention to Africa,” Ruto said.
He urged partners to support African countries in processing minerals locally, building industries, creating jobs and increasing value addition.
“Stronger African economies mean stronger global supply chains, larger consumer markets, greater investment opportunities, and more resilient growth,” he said.
The Kenyan leader used the G7 platform to promote Africa’s role in global economic development while seeking agreements aimed at expanding trade, investment and employment opportunities for Kenyans.
