NAIROBI — Kenya will officially open its new embassy in Rabat this week, a diplomatic move designed to deepen ties with Morocco and push for a fairer balance in trade between the two nations.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi is set to lead a three-day official visit to the North African country, during which he will formally inaugurate the embassy.
“The PCS is set to inaugurate the Kenya Embassy in Rabat, which opened its doors in December 2023,” said Jacob Ngetich, Director of Press at Mudavadi’s office. “It is part of strengthening the warm diplomatic relationship that dates back to 1965.”
Kenya and Morocco have enjoyed cordial relations for decades, but Mudavadi’s trip is expected to focus on more than ceremony. Top on the agenda is trade — and the need, Kenyan officials say, to correct an imbalance.
Current figures paint a stark picture. Kenya exports around KSh 480 million worth of goods to Morocco, mainly tea, coffee, textiles, fruits, and vegetables. In return, it imports more than KSh 12 billion in goods, including fertilisers, oils, and aircraft parts.
Mudavadi is scheduled to hold talks with Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, as well as ministers responsible for agriculture and trade. Ngetich confirmed that the discussions would explore ways to boost Kenyan exports and develop targeted partnerships in agriculture and manufacturing.
The visit is also expected to deliver a string of agreements. According to officials, at least two memoranda of understanding are on the table: one on housing, and another linking Kenya’s Foreign Service Academy with Morocco’s Diplomatic Academy. Other sector-specific accords may follow.
This marks Kenya’s most significant diplomatic outreach to Morocco in recent years, signalling President William Ruto’s broader push to expand Kenya’s footprint across Africa and strengthen south-south cooperation.
Analysts say the embassy in Rabat could serve as a hub for deeper economic and political engagement, especially as both countries seek greater influence in pan-African diplomacy.
For now, Nairobi is hoping the opening of its new embassy is more than symbolic. “We want trade with Morocco to be a two-way street,” said one senior diplomat. “This visit is about turning handshakes into results.”
