EU, Kenya sign landmark trade deal hailed as beginning of 'historic partnership'

EU Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen and Kenya's president William Ruto pictured following the signing of a landmark EU-Kenya trade deal, Monday 18 December 2023. © EEAS - European Union

Kenya and the European Union have signed a long-negotiated trade agreement to increase the flow of goods between the two markets, as Brussels pursues stronger economic ties with Africa.

The agreement signed this Monday is the first broad trade deal between the EU and an African nation since 2016 and follows a spending spree by China on lavish infrastructure projects across the continent.