President Ramaphosa to host President Ruto of the Republic of Kenya on a State Visit

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 04 June 2026, host His Excellency President William Samoei Ruto of the Republic of Kenya on a State Visit at the Union Buildings in Tshwane.

South Africa and Kenya enjoy long standing mutually beneficial and cordial relations that were re-established in 1994. South Africa values Kenya as a strategic partner in the East African region and the continent.

The strategic importance of the bilateral relations between the two countries underlines South Africa's intentions to elevate the nature of the relationship to that of a Strategic Partnership.

South Africa and Kenya have to date signed 28 Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding in various fields including, Agriculture, Sports, Education, Home Affairs, Defence and Correctional Services, Water and Sanitation, Government Printing Works, Tourism, Trade Industry and Competition, Transport and Environment.

The two countries undertook reciprocal State Visits in 2021 and in 2022.

Kenya is one of South Africa's largest trading partners in Africa, outside of the Southern African Development Community.

There are more than 60 South African companies operating in Kenya, with investments in various sectors of the economy.

President Ramaphosa will lead South Africa's delegation to the Official Talks with President Ruto where discussions will range between bilateral, multilateral, economic, regional and continental issues.

The official talks will be followed by a Business Forum.

The Business Forum will focus on deepening economic cooperation, facilitating business partnership and exploring statergies for unlocking the full potential of trade and investment between the two countries in mutually beneficial strategic sectors.

The media programme for the State Visit is as follows:
WELCOME CEREMONY
Time: 09h30 (Media to arrive at 07:00)
Venue: Union Buildings
Date: Thursday 04 June 2026

SOUTH AFRICA - KENYA OFFICIAL TALKS
Time: 10h30
Venue: Union Buildings
Date: Thursday 04 June 2026

MEMORANDA OF AGREEMENT SIGNING CEREMONY AND MEDIA BRIEFING
Time: 12h30
Venue: Union Buildings
Date: Thursday 04 June 2026

SOUTH AFRICA - KENYA BUSINESS FORUM
Time: 16h00
Venue: Gallagher Estate, Midrand, Johannesburg
Date: Thursday, 04 June 2026

Note to Media: The accreditation process for this event has been concluded by the Government Communications and Information System (GCIS).

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - [email protected]

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria