Signed in Nairobi on 5 and 6 October 2026, eleven bilateral agreements must deepen cooperation between Kenya and Rwanda in several sectors. In particular, both countries aim to facilitate trade, strengthen regional connectivity and secure the supply of oil products to Rwanda via the North Corridor.
Kenya and Rwanda signed two agreements and nine memoranda of understanding at the end of the 10th session of the Permanent Joint Commission on Cooperation between the two countries. (Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation, JPCC)held in Nairobi on 5 and 6 October 2026.
The legislation covers, inter alia, justice, immigration, water management, housing, local governance and security cooperation.
Economically, the two Governments reaffirmed their commitment to facilitate the flow of goods and services, increase investment and develop business relations. The implementation of existing commitments is also among the priorities of this session.
Cooperation in transport and logistics is based, inter alia, on the northern corridor linking Rwanda to the port of Mombasa on the Kenyan coast.
This is an essential supply route for Rwanda, a landlocked country. Both Governments agreed to continue their collaboration on regional connectivity, infrastructure and transport logistics.
The arrangements for port and logistics facilities, including the arrangements for the dry port of Naivasha, are part of this cooperation.
Both countries also want to strengthen their air routes: Kenya Airways operates two daily flights between Nairobi and Kigali, while RwandAir resumed its Kigali-Mombasa route in December 2025, with four flights per week.
Energy also plays an important role in this rapprochement. On 29 September 2026, a first shipment of 40,000 tons of refined petroleum products destined for Rwanda arrived at the port of Mombasa, according to the Rwandan daily newspaper The New Times.
This is part of the pooled supply of petroleum products through the North Corridor. Rwandese Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Usta Kaitesi, presented this road as a way to strengthen the country's energy security and build its supplies.
However, trade remains unbalanced. According to Usta Kaitesi, Rwanda imported more than $398 million worth of goods from Kenya in 2025, while its exports to the Kenyan market amounted to $5.3 million.
Nairobi and Kigali want to expand these exchanges and encourage cross-investment, while several Kenyan companies are already active in Rwanda, including in financial services.
Both Governments agreed to continue monitoring the agreements in order to ensure their implementation. The next session of the Joint Commission is scheduled for Rwanda in 2028, on a date to be determined through diplomatic channels according to the information provided.
