OSLO, Norway — President William Ruto has announced a new labour export agreement that will see at least 1,000 Kenyan seafarers employed in Norway by 2030 under partnerships with leading maritime companies.
In a statement shared on X after meetings in Oslo, Norway, the President said the deal includes commitments from Norwegian shipping firms to recruit Kenyan maritime professionals, with an initial target of 120 seafarers by the end of this year.
“We welcome the commitment by Wilhelmsen Ship Management and other Norwegian shipping companies to employ 1,000 Kenyan seafarers by 2030, including 120 by the end of this year,” Ruto said.
The Head of State noted that the agreement forms part of Kenya’s broader labour mobility strategy and blue economy agenda, aimed at expanding overseas employment opportunities for skilled Kenyan workers.
Beyond job creation, the discussions also focused on strengthening cooperation in green shipping, ocean sustainability, and maritime technology transfer between Kenya and Norway.
Ruto said both countries also explored the establishment of green trade corridors designed to reduce emissions in maritime transport while improving efficiency in global supply chains.
The talks further examined potential expansion of shipping routes linking Kenya’s ports of Mombasa and Lamu with Norwegian ports, in a move aimed at boosting trade connectivity and supporting regional logistics networks.
“We are also exploring new shipping routes to boost trade, strengthen supply chain resilience, enhance connectivity between the ports of Mombasa and Lamu and Norwegian ports, and expand our shipbuilding capacity,” the President added.
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The announcement comes amid a series of investment and trade deals secured by Kenya during Ruto’s European tour.
On Monday, the President said Kenya had secured agreements worth Ksh20.9 billion in Belgium, including funding under the EU–Kenya digital partnership and support for the Africa extension of the Blue Raman submarine cable project.
Ruto is currently on a week-long official visit to Europe, which has so far included engagements in Belgium and Norway, with further diplomatic and trade meetings expected in Finland as Kenya seeks to deepen labour, technology, and investment partnerships with European countries.
