Kenyan seafarers are set to benefit from new employment opportunities in Norway following an agreement with Wilhelmsen Ship Management and other Norwegian shipping companies to recruit up to 1,000 Kenyan workers by 2030.
President William Ruto, who is on an official visit to Europe, said the companies will employ 120 Kenyans by the end of this year, with the total expected to rise to 1,000 within four years.
Speaking after a meeting with the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association in Oslo, President Ruto said discussions also focused on expanding cooperation in the blue economy, fisheries, green shipping, ocean sustainability, and decarbonisation of the maritime sector.
He added that Kenya and Norway are also exploring the development of green trade corridors aimed at strengthening trade links, enhancing skills development, and supporting the global energy transition.
“We also welcome the commitment by Wilhelmsen Ship Management and other Norwegian shipping companies to employ 1,000 Kenyan seafarers by 2030, including 120 by the end of this year,” Ruto said.
The President noted that Kenya’s maritime and blue economy agenda is gaining momentum through strengthened cooperation with Norway, including opportunities for investment, knowledge exchange, technology transfer, and job creation for Kenyan maritime professionals.
He further said the two countries are exploring new shipping routes to boost trade, improve supply chain resilience, and strengthen connectivity between the ports of Mombasa and Lamu and Norwegian ports, alongside efforts to expand shipbuilding capacity.
“We are also exploring new shipping routes to boost trade, strengthen supply chain resilience, enhance connectivity between the ports of Mombasa and Lamu and Norwegian ports, and expand our shipbuilding capacity,” he said.
EU Digital Partnership Secures Sh15.3 Billion Investment
In separate engagements, President Ruto also highlighted new commitments under the EU–Kenya Digital Partnership, including €102 million (approximately Sh15.3 billion) in investments aimed at accelerating digital transformation, expanding connectivity, and creating opportunities for young people and businesses.
He also welcomed €37 million in support for the Blue Raman submarine cable extension, which will connect Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, and Tanzania, boosting regional connectivity and reducing internet costs.
“We welcome €102 million (approximately Sh15.3 billion) in new investments under the EU–Kenya Digital Partnership to accelerate digital transformation, expand connectivity and create opportunities for our youth and businesses,” Ruto said.
The President made the remarks following talks with European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen, which focused on strengthening cooperation between Kenya and the European Union in trade, innovation, and the digital economy.
He said the discussions also reviewed progress in implementing the EU–Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), noting that Kenya’s exports to the EU have increased by more than 20 per cent since its entry into force, supporting jobs and expanding market access for farmers and manufacturers.
Ruto added that both sides welcomed progress under the EU–Kenya Digital Partnership, including the Digital Dialogue and Data Adequacy process, which he said would enhance digital trade and strengthen Kenya’s position as a leading digital hub and a top global Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) destination.
In a separate statement, the European Commission said the EU and Kenya are deepening their strategic partnership on trade, digital transformation, and sustainable investment under the Global Gateway strategy.
The EU said the commitments were announced during meetings in Brussels between President Ruto and Vice-President Henna Virkkunen.
As part of the cooperation, both sides agreed to invest in clean transport and trade facilitation along the Northern Corridor, which links Mombasa to Kisangani, and to expand high-speed internet connectivity to more than 3,000 public institutions, including schools, health centres, and digital hubs.
Additional funding under the Global Gateway initiative includes €17 million for modernising the Northern Corridor, €15 million to expand Kenya’s fibre-optic network, €12 million for digitising land registration systems, €10 million to strengthen Kenya’s Digital Transformation Centre, and €16 million to support the integration of refugee camps into host communities.
The EU said it remains Kenya’s largest export market and a key partner in security, investment, and development cooperation, reaffirming its commitment to the EU–Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement and ongoing digital and trade reforms.
President Ruto is on a multi-country European tour that includes official visits to Belgium and Norway, as well as a State Visit to Finland.
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