Kenya and Tanzania have signed eight new agreements aimed at renewing their pledge to cultivate closer ties as they seek to accelerate economic growth and deepen regional integration.
During his two-day State Visit, William Ruto held bilateral talks with Samia Suluhu Hassan at State House, Dar es Salaam, on Monday. The two leaders later presided over the signing of eight Memoranda of Understanding.
The agreements mark a significant expansion of bilateral cooperation between the two East African nations, spanning key sectors that directly impact traders, manufacturers, and millions of households.
The Memoranda of Understanding cover energy, legal cooperation, agriculture, railway development, public service capacity building, maritime cooperation, certification standards for seafarers, and the harmonisation of standards between the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and Shirika la Viwango Tanzania.
The two leaders said the standards harmonisation agreement is a key milestone, as it establishes a joint technical committee to align testing and certification processes between the two countries.
Under the arrangement, products certified in Dar es Salaam will no longer be subjected to repeated inspections by KEBS at border points such as Namanga or Holili, easing cross-border trade and reducing delays for businesses.
The railway MoU commits both governments to revive the Voi-Mwatate-Taveta line, linking it to the Standard Gauge Railway and cutting freight time to Moshi and Arusha. The energy agreement advances the Isinya-Singida transmission line and sets up a working group on joint renewable projects.
President Ruto said the two countries will continue to actively engage noting that the two nations are bound by destiny.
“This visit reflects the deep-rooted and enduring friendship that binds our two nations, a relationship enriched by vibrant people-to-people connections, shared heritage, and a common destiny.”
President Ruto described the relationship as one that transcends politics and goes back to the vision of the founding fathers, who championed Pan-Africanism and saw regional integration as a vehicle for transformation.
“Our enduring cordial relations continue to flourish, anchored on mutual respect, shared rich history and vibrant trade,” he said.
The two leaders set a deadline for removing non-tariff barriers to be 30th June, 2026, as directed by the 25th East African Community Summit. The barriers have hit dairy, maize, eggs, steel, and confectionery shipments for years, with trucks often detained at border points over paperwork, standards, or ad hoc levies.
President Samia said the two countries can significantly increase trade and investments by ironing out issues that inhibit the movement of goods. She said Tanzania would move to digitise customs and establish a 30-day dispute resolution window under the new Kenya-Tanzania Business Council.
On infrastructure, the two Heads of State commended progress on the Malindi–Bagamoyo Super Highway and said it will significantly enhance regional connectivity, facilitate trade, and strengthen ties. The highway, once complete, will create a coastal corridor from Mombasa to Dar es Salaam, easing pressure on the northern route.
Energy cooperation was pointed out as critical for catalyzing industrialisation in the region. Beyond the Isinya–Singida line, the MoU opens talks on joint geothermal development and power purchase agreements that would let industries in either country tap cheaper off-peak electricity across the border.
In agriculture, the two sides agreed on mutual recognition of sanitary and phytosanitary certificates, which should speed up clearance of milk, meat, and fresh produce.
The deal on tourism was highlighted as key in enhancing job creation and people-to-people ties. The two leaders agreed to accelerate efforts to market the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem jointly and to harmonise park fees and visa rules for third-country tourists.
On boundary reaffirmation, President Ruto said 564km of the 778km Kenya-Tanzania border is complete, with both sides pledging to finalise the rest before the African Union’s 2027 deadline. The leaders also reviewed regional security, vowing to keep shared borders as “zones of peace, stability, and opportunity.”
