Kenya and Qatar Celebrate Growing Bilateral Ties on Qatar’s National Day
Kenya and Qatar have celebrated the 53rd National Day celebrations of the State of Qatar,reflecting Qatar’s role as a global partner and commitment to building bridges across the nations.
Speaking on Monday during the celebration,the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Ali Joho, expressed Kenya’s strong support for Qatar, marking the enduring partnership between the two nations.
Joho extended his congratulations to both the government and people of Qatar, highlighting the significance of the day for both countries.
“Kenya is proud to stand with you as a partner in commemorating the historic day,” he said, adding that the occasion provides an opportunity to reflect on Qatar’s remarkable journey and to honor the resilience, sacrifices and milestones that have shaped the nation.
The CS commended the diplomatic relationship between Kenya and Qatar, which has flourished since the establishment of ties in 2003.
“Our bond has grown steadily, based on mutual respect, shared values and strategic cooperation,” he said, adding that Qatar’s global leadership in diplomacy, peace and humanitarian assistance is deeply appreciated.
He further praised Qatar’s mediation efforts in promoting peace and security in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East as he highlights Qatar’s significant contributions to Kenya’s development, particularly in the fields of aquaculture and humanitarian assistance.
He spoke about the ongoing Climate-Resilient Aquaculture Systems for Africa (CASA) project, which is supported by the Qatar Fund for Development. The five-year, $10 million initiative, with Qatar contributing $5 million, aims to advance aquaculture in Kenya and across the continent.
Additionally, Qatar’s support extends to water and agricultural projects, as well as humanitarian initiatives such as the donation of equipment from the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Joho looks forward to further collaboration, particularly as the country prepares to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with neighboring Tanzania and Uganda.
While he addresses on the strong labor relations between the two nations, which were recently bolstered by the official visit of Dr. Ali Bin Samikh Ali, Qatar’s Minister of Labor,the visit culminated in the creation of job opportunities for Kenyan professionals and skilled workers in Qatar.
“We are committed to working together to enhance training opportunities for Kenyan workers to meet the labor demands in Qatar’s priority sectors,” Joho said, expressing gratitude for Qatar’s hospitality to nearly 70,000 Kenyan nationals, whose contributions benefit both countries.
On the subject of trade, Joho emphasized the importance of boosting bilateral trade, noting that Kenya exports fish, horticultural products and livestock to Qatar, while importing fertilizers, chemicals and liquefied petroleum gas.
However, despite positive strides, the trade volume remains relatively low, with Kenya’s exports to Qatar valued at $17.47 million in 2023, while imports stood at $59.82 million.
Joho expressed Kenya’s eagerness to expand market access for its blue economy and agricultural products to Qatar and looked forward to the conclusion of key agreements between the two nations including memoranda of understanding on blue economy cooperation, political consultations and joint trade committees, which are expected to further deepen ties and foster people-to-people engagement.
Concurrently,Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Kenya, Mohammed Bib Mutair Al-Enazi, also shared remarks, underscoring the significance of the growing partnership and the shared vision for a prosperous future between the two nations.
“As Qatar celebrates its National Day, both Kenya and Qatar reaffirm their commitment to strengthening their bilateral ties, particularly in trade, development and labor relations with an eye on continued collaboration in the years ahead.
He said that Qatar’s deepening bilateral relations with the Republic of Krygyzstan were highlighted with numerous agreements and joint projects contributing to the development of both nations.
The bilateral visit between Krygyzstan and implementation of a number of projects including the establishment of a number of projects including and education for all Qatar development fund and efforts to provide quality education for needy children are among the projects through the partnership with UNICEF and the Qatar Charitable Association.
