Kenya and Thailand have taken a significant step toward strengthening bilateral economic cooperation following the Thailand–Kenya Business Matching and Digital Partnership 2026 forum held in Nairobi.
The high-level engagement brought together policymakers and private sector leaders from both countries to explore opportunities in digital transformation, trade and investment.
A Thai delegation led by the Director General of Thailand’s Department of International Trade Ms. Sunanta Kangvalkulkij arrived in Kenya to spearhead the forum aimed at promoting partnerships between businesses from the two nations.
Kenya’s delegation at the opening ceremony was led by Mr. Evans Maturu, Director General for Political and Diplomatic Affairs at the State Department for Foreign Affairs, alongside Ambassador Lucy Kiruthu, Kenya’s Ambassador to the Royal Kingdom of Thailand, and senior officials from the State Departments for ICT and Trade.
Additionally, the forum attracted 14 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) firms from Thailand and approximately 50 from Kenya, creating a platform for business matchmaking, partnerships and knowledge exchange designed to strengthen digital economies in both countries.
Addressing participants at the forum, Mr. Maturu observed that Kenya is keen on strengthening economic diplomacy through partnerships that leverage innovation and digital transformation.
“The partnership provides an opportunity for businesses from both countries to share knowledge, explore new markets and foster innovative solutions that can accelerate digital growth,” Maturu explained.
He further emphasized that Kenya is aligning its foreign policy with economic priorities by promoting trade, technology exchange and investment partnerships with strategic international partners.
Concurrently, Kenya’s Ambassador to Thailand, Lucy Kiruthu, also underscored the importance of the engagement, noting that the forum reflects the growing cooperation between the two countries in emerging economic sectors.
Amb. Kiruthu stated that digital innovation is becoming a key pillar in the Kenya–Thailand partnership and will play a central role in strengthening trade and technological collaboration between the two countries.
In the meantime, the discussions also involved bilateral consultations between the Thai delegation and Kenyan officials from the State Departments of Foreign Affairs, ICT and Trade, focusing on translating diplomatic relations into practical economic outcomes.
In a notable development, Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Information, Communication and the Digital Economy William Kabogo made an appearance at the forum, signaling the government’s commitment to strengthening Kenya’s digital transformation agenda and expanding international technology partnerships.
The CS observed that ICT development remains a central pillar in Kenya’s economic transformation strategy.
“We are keen to ensure that digital transformation reaches communities at the grassroots level and enhances service delivery across the country,” Kabogo remarked.
He added that collaboration with international partners such as Thailand would support the expansion of ICT infrastructure, innovation ecosystems and technology transfer.
Meanwhile, both countries also explored opportunities for collaboration in expanding ICT infrastructure and services down to the ward level, the smallest administrative unit in Kenya, as part of efforts to bridge the digital divide and promote inclusive technological growth.
Beyond ICT, the discussions extended to other areas of economic cooperation including trade and investment promotion, tourism development and agricultural collaboration, particularly in agribusiness.
At the engagement, stakeholders noted that the multi-sector approach reflects the growing maturity of Kenya–Thailand relations, where digital innovation is increasingly integrated into broader economic partnerships.
In addition, the engagement also provided an opportunity for both sides to reflect on the progress of bilateral relations as they prepare to mark the 60th anniversary of Kenya–Thailand diplomatic relations in July 2027.
To this regard, participants emphasized the importance of reviewing key milestones and identifying flagship initiatives that will shape the next phase of cooperation between the two countries.
Equally, the Thailand–Kenya Business Matching and Digital Partnership forum also reflects Kenya’s evolving foreign policy approach that prioritizes results-driven economic diplomacy.
By bringing together government officials and private sector actors on one platform, the initiative seeks to bridge policy and enterprise while promoting tangible partnerships and investment opportunities.
Ultimately, officials expressed optimism that the engagement will translate into concrete business deals, technology transfer and long-term collaboration between Kenyan and Thai companies, further strengthening economic ties between the two nations.
By Nicholas Ochieng
