Ramaphosa to Host Ruto for State Visit Aimed at Boosting Trade and Investment

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will host Kenyan President William Ruto on a State Visit next week as the two countries seek to strengthen political, economic and business ties.

Ruto is scheduled to undertake the visit from June 3 to 5 at the invitation of President Ramaphosa, with the main engagements taking place at the Union Buildings in Tshwane on Thursday, June 4.

According to the South African Presidency, the visit reflects the long-standing cordial relations between South Africa and Kenya, which were re-established in 1994. Pretoria regards Nairobi as a strategic partner in East Africa and across the African continent.

The leaders will begin the day with an official welcome ceremony at the Union Buildings before holding bilateral talks focused on enhancing cooperation between the two countries.

The visit will also feature the signing of several memoranda of agreement, followed by a joint media briefing by the two Heads of State.

A key highlight of the programme will be the South Africa-Kenya Business Forum scheduled for later in the day at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, Johannesburg.

The forum is expected to bring together government officials, investors and business leaders from both countries to explore opportunities for expanding trade and investment.

Officials said discussions at the business forum will focus on deepening economic cooperation, fostering new business partnerships and identifying strategies to unlock the full potential of trade and investment in mutually beneficial sectors.

The State Visit comes at a time when African countries are increasingly seeking to strengthen intra-African trade and economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with both Kenya and South Africa among the continent’s leading economies.

Observers expect the visit to further reinforce diplomatic relations and create new opportunities for collaboration in areas including trade, investment, manufacturing, infrastructure and regional development.

South Africa is however facing criticism for failing to contain a gang targeting non locals in a xenophobic rhetoric.