• Kenya and Morocco sign 11 deals covering health, agriculture, and trade

• Agreements aim to expand cooperation and boost economic ties

• Move follows diplomatic shift that eased tensions between the two countries

Kenya and Morocco have signed 11 memorandums of understanding to strengthen bilateral cooperation across a range of sectors.

The agreements were concluded on April 9 on the sidelines of a joint ministerial commission. They cover areas including agriculture, health, higher education, the blue economy, and wildlife management, along with social initiatives focused on gender equality, women’s empowerment, and skills development through scholarships and internships.

At the Ministerial Session of the Inaugural Kenya–Morocco Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) in Nairobi, we witnessed the signing of 11 bilateral instruments, marking a major step in strengthening our partnership and delivering tangible outcomes for our two nations.

The… pic.twitter.com/z9zKA1Ag1i

— Musalia W Mudavadi (@MusaliaMudavadi) April 9, 2026

A key component is a health cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening both countries’ healthcare systems. It includes provisions for knowledge sharing, technical partnerships, and joint initiatives.

The focus areas include early disease detection, emergency preparedness and response, and the fight against communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS. The agreement also targets improved access to essential medicines, local production of pharmaceuticals, maternal and community health, and medical training.

“We have also agreed to accelerate collaboration in trade, investment, industrial development, and air connectivity, opening new avenues for growth and shared prosperity,” said Kenyan Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.

The rapprochement follows a shift in diplomatic relations that had long been shaped by disagreements over Western Sahara. Kenya, which previously recognized the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and maintained ties with the Polisario Front, adjusted its position in 2022 under President William Ruto.

That shift paved the way for renewed engagement with Morocco, including a shared commitment to expand cooperation in trade, agriculture, tourism, health, and energy.

Despite the momentum, trade between the two countries remains limited. Bilateral exchanges were estimated at $40.6 million in 2024, according to the International Trade Centre, and are mainly concentrated in fertilizers, plant-based textile fibers, paper-based yarns and fabrics, and agricultural products such as coffee and tea.

Ingrid Haffiny