Kenyan President William Ruto revealed that over 1,000 Kenyan nationals will secure employment opportunities in Norway before the year 2030.
Through a statement shared on X, the head of state confirmed an agreement that facilitates the placement of Kenyan maritime workers with Norwegian shipping enterprises.
Following discussions in Oslo, Norway, the agreement secured commitments from prominent maritime employers to recruit Kenyan professionals in the maritime sector, with an initial objective of placing 120 seafarers before the year’s conclusion.
“I am pleased to announce the commitment by Wilhelmsen Ship Management and other Norwegian shipping companies to provide employment for 1,000 Kenyan seafarers by 2030, including 120 positions by the end of this year,” Ruto stated.
According to the president, this initiative will advance Kenya’s maritime workforce export strategy and blue economic priorities.
In addition to creating employment opportunities, Ruto highlighted that the talks centered on enhancing collaboration in environmentally friendly shipping, ocean conservation, and technological advancements in maritime sectors.
The discussions also examined the establishment of eco-friendly trade routes between Kenya and Norway, targeting the reduction of emissions in maritime transport while improving bilateral trade and logistical efficiency.
As part of Kenya’s comprehensive maritime infrastructure strategy, the meeting evaluated proposals for new shipping routes to elevate the significance of the Port of Mombasa and the Port of Lamu as vital gateways for regional and global commerce.
“We are also investigating new shipping routes to stimulate trade, improve supply chain reliability, increase connectivity between Kenyan ports in Mombasa and Lamu and Norwegian harbors, and develop our shipbuilding capabilities,” Ruto noted.
This announcement follows similar initiatives made during a visit to Belgium.
On Monday, June 8, Ruto reported securing Ksh15.3 billion in new investment through the European Union (EU)-Kenya digital partnership, along with an additional Ksh 5.6 billion in EU funding for the African extension of the Blue Raman submarine cable project.
The president is currently undertaking a tour that has already taken him to Belgium and Norway, with an upcoming state visit to Finland where further opportunities for Kenyan citizens are expected to be identified.