Kenyan President Ruto Hosts Guinea Bissau’s Embaló for Trade and Diplomatic Talks

Bahati shalom
Jan 25, 2025

Ruto in Nairobi having bilateral talks with Guinea-Bissau President Embaló Sissoco
President William Ruto is set to welcome Guinea Bissau's President, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, for a state visit to Kenya on Saturday. The reception will take place at State House, Nairobi, shortly after Ruto concludes his five-day tour in Western Kenya.
President Embaló will receive an official military welcome in the morning, with full honors expected to be given. This visit follows Ruto’s three-day tour of Guinea Bissau in April last year.
During that trip, the two leaders engaged in discussions aimed at enhancing trade, boosting private sector involvement in agriculture and manufacturing, and advancing technology transfer.
Their discussions also focused on strengthening diplomatic ties and economic cooperation. According to a statement from State House, both countries previously agreed to implement key policies to increase trade. Ruto acknowledged that trade levels between Kenya and Guinea Bissau remain low but emphasized the potential for growth, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.
One of the key agreements between the two nations is the Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC), signed in 2022. President Ruto has expressed optimism that improved collaboration between private sectors in both countries will significantly increase trade volumes.
During his visit to Guinea Bissau, President Ruto was honored with the country’s highest medal at the presidential palace. He noted that the JCC will help both countries work together in areas such as security, agriculture, fisheries, the blue economy, and environmental conservation. Additionally, he committed to establishing direct flights between Kenya and Guinea Bissau to facilitate trade and strengthen interactions between citizens of both nations.
In September last year, Ruto and Embaló also met in Beijing. During this meeting, Ruto stepped up his efforts to campaign for Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship. It is likely that this topic will be part of their discussions at State House on Saturday.