Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Economic Planning, Hon. FCPA John Mbadi, today hosted South Korea’s Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Kang Hyung-Shik, for a high-level courtesy call at the Treasury Building, signaling a renewed push to strengthen bilateral economic relations between the two nations.
During their meeting, the two leaders held comprehensive discussions focused on expanding trade, increasing investment flows, and diversifying Kenya’s export portfolio to South Korea. Hon. Mbadi emphasized Kenya’s readiness to ramp up exports of key agricultural commodities such as tea, avocados, and coffee, noting the growing demand for premium Kenyan produce in Asian markets.
He further invited South Korean businesses to explore investment opportunities in Kenya’s fast-growing manufacturing and information and communications technology (ICT) sectors—areas he said hold immense potential for industrialization and job creation.
“Kenya is committed to building a robust and predictable investment climate. Our ongoing tax reforms, pro-business legislation, and infrastructure modernization are designed to attract and retain credible investors,” CS Mbadi stated in his brief after the meeting.
On his part, Ambassador Kang commended Kenya’s economic reform agenda and expressed South Korea’s interest in forging stronger commercial partnerships that would deliver mutual benefits. He noted that South Korean companies are increasingly looking to Africa for long-term investment, and Kenya—with its strategic location and youthful workforce—stands out as a key gateway into the region.
The meeting underscores growing diplomatic and economic collaboration between Nairobi and Seoul, following a series of engagements in recent years aimed at enhancing trade, technology transfer, and development cooperation. Both sides committed to advancing negotiations on targeted agreements that would facilitate smoother market access, investor protection, and technical cooperation.
As Kenya seeks to boost its export revenues and industrial competitiveness, partnerships with advanced economies like South Korea are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s economic trajectory.
