Kenya is internationally famous for tea, one of its main agricultural exports.
The Republic of Kenya
KenyaEastern Africa-1:00Hours behind the UAE
About the Country
General Information
National Identity
Official Language(s)English, Kiswahili
National CurrencyKenyan Shilling (KES)
National Day(s)12 December (Jamhuri Day)
Capitals
Political / Administrative CapitalNairobi
Economic CapitalNairobi
Cultural CapitalMombasa / Nairobi
Transport & Connectivity
Flight Duration from the UAE≈ 4.5 – 5 h
Direct flights
Primary AirportJomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Primary PortPort of Mombasa (KEMBA)
Geography
Land Area-
Length of the Coastline536 km
Highest PointMount Kenya (5,199 m)
Primary Inland Water Body / RiverLake Victoria
ClimateTropical along coast to arid in interior
Border Countries
EthiopiaSomaliaSouth SudanTanzaniaUganda
5Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research
Key Facts
The Maasai Mara hosts part of the Great Migration, involving more than a million wildebeest, along with zebras and gazelles.
Important fossils found near Lake Turkana have helped scientists understand early human evolution.
Kenya has more than 40 ethnic communities, each with its own traditions, languages and food.
Mount Kenya is 5,199 metres high, making it Africa’s second-highest mountain.
In 2004, Wangari Maathai became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Nairobi is home to the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme.
Ugali is a popular maize-based food, often served with nyama choma, or roasted meat.
Lamu’s Maulidi celebrations include traditional donkey and dhow races.
In 2019, Eliud Kipchoge became the first person to complete a marathon distance in under two hours.
Kenya is home to most of the world’s Grevy’s zebras, the largest and most endangered zebra species.
Kenya’s parks are home to the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes.
Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research
Economic Overview
Macroeconomic Snapshot
GDP, current prices-USD Billions
Real GDP growth-Annual percent change (%)
GDP per capita, current prices-USD per capita
Population-Millions of people
General government gross debt-% of GDP
Income levelWorld Bank classification-
Economic Comparison
| Indicator |  UAE | KenyaUAE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP, current pricesUSD Billions | - | - | |
| GDP, PPPCurrent int$ | - | - | |
| Real GDP growthAnnual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| GDP per capita, current pricesUSD per capita | - | - | |
| PopulationMillions of people | - | - | |
| Unemployment rate% of total labor force | - | - | |
| Inflation rate (avg. consumer prices)Annual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| General government gross debt% of GDP | - | - | |
| Income levelWorld Bank classification | - | - |
Foreign Trade
No data available for this section yet.
Political Overview
Leadership
H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto
Since September 2022
H.E. Musalia Mudavadi
Since October 2023
Hon. John Mbadi Ng’ongo
Since August 2024
Hon. Roselinda Soipan Tuya
Since August 2024
Political Summary
Political System
Presidential Republic
Ruling Party
United Democratic Alliance (UDA): Centre-right (since 2022)
Main Opposition Force(s)
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM): Centre-left, and allied opposition groups
Next Presidential Election
Expected in August 2027
Next Legislative Election
August 2027
Last Updated: May 2026Source: Internal Research
Membership in Key Organizations and Blocs
47Organizations
31Member
0Founding Member
2Partner, Observer or Participant
14Not a Member
No organisation matches.
Last Updated: July 2026Source: Official websites of the respective organizations
Competitiveness Indexes
| Index | Year | Rank Out of | Kenya | UAE |
|---|
No index matches.
Bilateral Relations
Diplomatic Relations and Representation
Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations5 Jun 198244 years of relations
UAE Ambassador
H.E. Dr. Salem Ibrahim Al NaqbiUAE Ambassador to Kenya · ResidentForeign Ambassador
H.E. Kenneth Milimo NgangaAmbassador of Kenya to the UAE · ResidentLast Updated: June 2026Source: MoFA; Internal Research
Flights by UAE Carriers
Passenger Flights
October 2026 figures17Total Weekly Passenger Flights
EYEtihad Airways3
EKEmirates7
FZflydubai4
G9Air Arabia3
Cargo Flights
October 2026 figures0Total Weekly Cargo Flights
EYEtihad Cargo0
EKEmirates SkyCargo0
Last Updated: October 2026Source: GCAA
Consular Information
Tourists | Residents | Students | Golden Visa Holders | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Kenya Nationalsin the UAE | - | - | - | - |
UAE Citizensin Kenya | - | - | - | - |
Main Agreements and MoUs
| Agreement / MOU | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
CEPAComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement | Signed | Signed on 14 Jan 2025. |
IPPAInvestment Protection and Promotion Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 23 Nov 2014.Entered into force on 5 Jun 2017. |
DTADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 21 Nov 2011.Entered into force on 22 Feb 2017. |
ASAAir Services Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 21 Nov 2011.Entered into force on 10 Apr 2017. |
Ratified— Signed and entered into force
Signed— Signed, but entry into force or ratification is pending
Not Signed— No signed agreement exists
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research
UAE Foreign Assistance
| UAE Aid to Kenya | Total Amount |
|---|---|
| Amount (USD Mn) | - |
Bilateral Visits
Official Visits from the UAE
- H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al NahyanDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign AffairsMay2025
- H.E. Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al JaberMinister of Industry and Advanced TechnologyJun2023
- H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al NahyanMinister of StateOct2022
- H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al NahyanMinister of StateSep2022
- H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al ZeyoudiMinister of State for Foreign TradeJul2022
Official Visits to the UAE
- H.E. Dr. William Samoei RutoPresident of KenyaApr2026
- H.E. Musalia MudavadiPrime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of KenyaAug2024
- H.E. Moses KuriaCabinet Secretary for Trade, Investment and Industry of KenyaDec2022
- H.E. Uhuru KenyattaPresident of KenyaMay2022
- H.E. Uhuru KenyattaPresident of KenyaFeb2022
The officials’ titles shown reflect the positions held at the time of the visit.
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
Trade
Non-Oil Bilateral Trade
-
Rank Among UAE's Trade Partners
-Non-oil trade partner of the UAE
-Source of UAE imports
-Destination for UAE exports
-Destination for UAE re‑exports
Key Trade Commodities
-
Foreign Direct Investment Flows
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Inflows (Into the UAE)65.9USD Millions
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Outflows (UAE Abroad)3,949.0USD Millions
Capex and jobs data include estimated values.
Last Updated: November 2026Source: fDi Markets
Major Companies and Investments
Major Kenyan Companies in the UAE
Kenya AirwaysAviation
Major UAE Companies in Kenya
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
Business Support
Dubai Chamber International Office
International Office(s)Nairobi, Kenya
UAE-Kenyan Joint Business Council
Joint Business Council(s)Established in 2025; no meetings held since.
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Various UAE Chambers
Cooperation Opportunities
Priority level: HIGH / MEDIUM / EMERGING, based on overall attractiveness to the UAE.
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research