Kenya and Azerbaijan have taken a significant step toward strengthening their diplomatic and economic cooperation, following the first round of political consultations between the two countries held in Nairobi on Friday.
The high-level discussions were led by Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Dr. Abraham Korir Sing’Oei and Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev, who is heading a visiting delegation from Baku.
The meeting, which comes as the two countries mark over two decades of diplomatic relations, focused on expanding partnerships in key sectors such as trade, digital innovation, energy, agriculture, tourism, and education. Both sides expressed a shared interest in deepening political ties and broadening collaboration on international platforms such as the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
Kenya welcomed Azerbaijan’s proposal to promote its acclaimed “ASAN Khidmet” public service model, as well as explore investment opportunities in ICT and the digital economy — areas in which Kenya has already emerged as a continental leader.
The Azerbaijani delegation also held talks with Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi, who lauded the consultation as a milestone in Kenya-Azerbaijan relations. He noted that the dialogue provides a strong foundation for practical cooperation between the two nations.
In a show of Azerbaijan’s interest in engaging Kenya’s youth, Deputy FM Rafiyev also met with young Kenyan leaders through a special forum convened by Charlene Ruto, Youth Champion and head of the Young People’s Network International.
The consultations underscore Kenya’s growing role as a diplomatic and economic hub in Africa, and signal renewed interest in South-South cooperation between African and Eurasian countries.