In a historic deal, Kenya and California have partnered to establish Africa's first Centre of Excellence on Clean Transport Systems in Nairobi. This agreement, signed during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), marks a significant step towards sustainable development in Kenya.

• The partnership, dubbed the California–Africa Climate and Economic Partnership, will see collaboration in areas like electric mobility, green ports, climate-smart agriculture, and renewable energy.
• The deal was witnessed by President William Ruto and California Governor Gavin Newsom.
• The Centre of Excellence on Clean Transport Systems will serve as a hub for innovation and knowledge sharing across Africa.
• Kenya is the only African country to secure such an agreement with California, the world's fourth-largest economy.
• This follows a previous partnership with the United Kingdom to develop the Nairobi Railway City (NRC) project, modernizing Nairobi's Central Station and supporting over 2 million daily commuters.

In a move to secure economic stability for its textile and apparel sectors, Kenya is on track to sign a new bilateral trade agreement with the United States by December. This new deal aims to provide a safety net amidst the uncertain future of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

• Kenya's President William Ruto announced the upcoming bilateral trade deal with the U.S. and is simultaneously lobbying for a five-year extension of AGOA.
• The impending expiration of AGOA, which grants duty-free access to the U.S. market for qualifying African nations, risks over 66,000 Kenyan jobs if a successor agreement or extension is not secured.
• The Kenyan National Assembly has called for an expedited AGOA extension, citing its vital contribution to the nation's economy and livelihoods, with women comprising approximately 75 percent of direct beneficiaries.

Kenya and Ethiopia have signed a significant Defence Cooperation Agreement to enhance collaboration in addressing regional security challenges. This pact aims to strengthen joint efforts, improve interoperability, and facilitate rapid intelligence sharing between the two nations.

• The agreement was signed on Thursday, September 21, by Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri of Kenya and Chief of the National Defence Forces Field Marshal Birhanu Jula of Ethiopia.
• The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) stated the pact provides a structured framework for "more efficient, effective, and timely cooperation."
• General Kahariri emphasized that the agreement represents "a clear expression of African self-reliance."

Kenya and France will co-host the “Africa Forward: Africa–France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth” Summit in Nairobi on May 11–12, 2026. This summit aims to foster innovation, growth, and mutual cooperation between African and French Heads of State and Government.

• The announcement followed talks between President William Ruto and President Emmanuel Macron during the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 24.
• The summit will address topics such as reform of international financial architecture, energy transition, green industrialisation, and artificial intelligence.
• A Business Forum showcasing innovations and projects from both African and French private sectors will open the summit on May 11, 2026.