Finnpartnership joins Finland business delegation visit to Kenya

A delegation of Finland government officials and Finnish businesses led by Mika Lintilä, Minister of Economic Affairs, visited Kenya on 2-3 February 2023. The delegation that consisted of 10 Finnish companies was received by the Ambassador of Finland to Kenya, Pirkka Tapiola. This visit was preceded by a similar visit in Tanzania on 31 January-1 February. The goal of the visits was to offer an excellent opportunity for Finnish companies to establish high-level business connections with companies and public authorities in Tanzania and Kenya, and to foster the relations between Finland and the two countries.

The Kenya visit kicked off with a business meeting in the morning of Thursday, 2 February where the visiting delegation had the opportunity to meet and engage with representatives of local companies as well as Finnish affiliated organisations based in Kenya, including Finnpartnership, that was represented by the Regional Coordinator – Africa, Elizabeth Okunda. The participants had the opportunity to interact and discuss possible areas of collaboration.

B2B meetings were organised whereby the delegation met with some local organisations at their business premises. A meeting with the education sector organisations, that were part of the delegation, and some local organisations working on education projects looking at enhancing the TVET training in Kenya was held at the Embassy, chaired by Matts Weulander, Counsellor Skills Development and Job Creation at the Finnish Embassy in Kenya. Some of the organisations represented in this session included Edu Excellence, Laurea University, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Omnia Education Partnerships, Business Finland, Team Europe, GIZ, KfW and Finnpartnership.

During their visit, Minister Lintilä and his team met with the CEO of Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Caroline Kariuki, heads of Ministries from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of ICT, Ministry of Environment, Treasury, and the CBK Governor. They also met with the president of the Republic of Kenya, Hon. Dr. William Ruto. During their meeting, the president stated that Kenya and Finland have many opportunities for partnership in both the public and private sectors.

Finland seeks to enhance its trade and joint projects with Kenya especially in the fields of ICT, Education, Technology and sustainable infrastructure. As a national goal and strategy for Africa, Finland seeks to double its trade and exports with the African continent by 2030.

“Finland is a member of the EU, and the EU currently puts a lot of effort in strengthening its partnership with Kenya, its key partner in East Africa. Through the Global Gateway strategy, the EU mobilises considerable investments in Africa, bringing together the private sector, financing, and development corporation financing tools,” said Mika Lintilä. “Increased trade and sustainable economic growth is our common goal,” he added. Lintilä confirmed that the delegation learnt a lot during the visit. Over and above formalising trade relations in the form of EU partnership agreements between regions or countries, the upcoming EU-Kenya business forum is another example of an activity aimed at enhancing economic corporation.