Speeches, Statements & International Documents

                                                                                                                      

JOINT STATEMENT

ON THE OCCASION OF THE OFFICIAL STATE VISIT OF THE

HONOURABLE DATO’ SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM, PRIME MINISTER

OF MALAYSIA

TO THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA

23-24 NOVEMBER 2025 

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1.   At the invitation of His Excellency William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, the Honourable Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia undertook an Official State Visit to the Republic of Kenya on 23 and 24 November 2025. This visit, the first by the Prime Minister since assuming office, marked a significant milestone in the 60-years of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

2.   Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was accorded a ceremonial welcome on 24 November 2025 at the State House in Nairobi. After the ceremony, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and President William Ruto held a bilateral meeting, during which both Leaders had discussion on bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. Both Leaders held substantive discussions in a warm and cordial atmosphere, reflecting the deep trust and shared commitment of both sides to strengthen the relationship to greater heights.

3.   Both Leaders acknowledged the progress of ongoing cooperation between the two countries and agreed to continue working towards enhancing ties in key sectors, including trade and investment; palm oil and agricommodity; agriculture; halal industry; education; semiconductor; digital transformation; tourism and culture; and capacity building.

4.   Both Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further enhance the bilateral relations through the exchange of high-level visits, maintaining regular consultations at all levels, as well as promote exchanges of views on key bilateral and multilateral issues. Both Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to elevate relations and continue with the regular Bilateral Consultations with a view to establishing Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC).

5.   Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim informed that Kenya is one of Malaysia’s largest and strategic trading partners in Africa, while His Excellency President William Samoei Ruto noted the robust potential for export into Malaysia. Cognizant of the trade potential, both Leaders agreed to explore ways to boost bilateral trade relations, including concluding the ongoing negotiations of Memorandum of Understanding on Economic and Industrial Cooperation.

6.   Both Leaders welcomed the strong contribution of the private sectors in deepening economic relations between the two states and commended the efforts by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM), Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA), Ken-Invest, and Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) in promoting vibrant business-to-business engagement. They further noted and welcomed the signing of the MoU between National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM) and Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) and encouraged the private sector to leverage this framework to expand opportunities for collaboration. Both Leaders further welcomed and lauded the Malaysia-Kenya High Level Business Forum that would be held at the margins of the official state visit as a critical milestone in enhancing business-to-business engagement for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

7.   President William Ruto informed of the ongoing micro and macroeconomic reforms aimed at easing the business environment and called on the Government of Malaysia to facilitate Malaysian private sector investment in Kenya, leveraging Kenya's membership in the EAC, IGAD, COMESA and AFCFTA.

8.   With regard to manufacturing and value addition, both Leaders underscored the immense potential of halal trade. Malaysia expressed its readiness to share its expertise in strengthening Kenya’s halal ecosystem, particularly in supply chain management and certification standards, to facilitate market access for Kenya’s value-added products in the food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, and beauty industries. Capitalizing on Malaysia’s global leadership in this sector, both Leaders will explore the possibilities to pursue mutual recognition of halal certification management systems and position Kenya as a Halal Hub for the East African region.

9.   Both Leaders recognized the strategic importance of agriculture as a cornerstone for food security, and economic prosperity. Both Leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in this sector by expanding the volume of agricultural exports to and from both countries, and strengthen cooperation in, technology transfer, joint research and development, sustainable agritech, horticulture, and livestock and dairy development.

10.   Both Leaders recognized the potential for collaboration in the agricommodity sector. Both Leaders welcomed interest from private sector in exploring potential opportunities to work with both farmers and local edible oil refiners to create a resilient, integrated edible oils value chains and create jobs. Malaysia expressed readiness to promote the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification as a benchmark for responsible and sustainable production. In recognition of Kenya’s leadership and logistical strength in East Africa, both Leaders welcomed the establishment of the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) regional office in Nairobi in the first quarter of 2026. This strategic milestone signals Malaysia’s unwavering commitment to positioning Kenya as the premier regional hub for palm oil trade and investment, serving as a gateway to the wider African continent.

11.   Both Leaders recognized the importance of digital technology as a catalyst for economic growth. They expressed readiness to advance knowledgesharing, driving joint research, as well as promote technology transfer in the semiconductor manufacturing industry. Additionally, both Leaders encouraged innovation, cooperation and joint ventures among the Tech companies in ICT, as well as film and animation industry.

12.   Both Leaders welcomed further cooperation in education, particularly in the fields of STEM, ICT, innovation, and TVET through scholarship opportunities, organising exchange programmes, and conducting capacity-building initiatives.

13.   Both Leaders agreed to strengthen people-to-people connections and cultural exchange. They welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism, as well as the signing of letter of intent between Kuala Lumpur City Council and Nairobi City County.

14.   Both Leaders emphasized the importance of fostering cooperation in sustainable urban development to fulfil basic needs and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this regard, Kenya welcomed investment by the Malaysian private sector in the affordable housing programme through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).

15.   On regional and international issues, both Leaders exchanged views on major global developments. They discussed the situation in Palestine and welcomed the ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace in Gaza. Both Leaders urged the international community to intensify efforts towards achieving a permanent ceasefire, protecting civilians, and ensuring unimpeded humanitarian access to those affected.

16.   On multilateral cooperation, the Leaders underscored the need for comprehensive reform of the global governance system including the UN Security Council to reflect current geopolitical realities and to prioritise the priorities of the Global South. They further reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close collaboration at the United Nations (UN), and in groupings such as the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and the Commonwealth among others.

17.   The Leaders acknowledged Nairobi’s important role as a global hub for sustainable development and environmental governance, and underscored the importance of continued collaboration in supporting the work of UNON, UNEP, and UN-HABITAT, in line with the spirit of the UN@80 initiatives. Kenya congratulated and affirmed its support for Malaysia’s presidency of the UN-Habitat Assembly for the period 2025- 2027.

18.   Both Leaders expressed their shared confidence that the visit by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim would further strengthen the bonds of friendship and advance robust economic and strategic cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries. In this spirit of reciprocity, Honourable Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim extended an invitation to His Excellency President Dr. William Samoei Ruto to undertake an official state visit to Malaysia, dates of which will be decided through diplomatic channels.

19.   His Excellency President Dr.William Ruto, wished Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his delegation a pleasant stay in Nairobi and requested that warm greetings from the Government and People of the Republic of Kenya be extended to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim and the people of Malaysia.

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