Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua with other African leaders after a meeting in Yokohama, Japan on August 21, 2025/PCSPresident William Ruto has overseen the signing of several critical development cooperation agreements at the ongoing Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama, Japan.
Ruto stated that the partnerships spans areas of finance, healthcare, and industrial development.
They are a Statement of Intent on the Samurai Bond, a financial instrument issued by foreign entities in the Japanese capital markets.
The agreement, signed between the National Treasury and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance, marks a major step in the country’s strategy to diversify its resource mobilisation options for priority development projects.
“Our plan to access financing in the Japanese capital markets is a leap forward in our innovative policy of diversifying resource mobilisation for national development and transformation,” Ruto stated.
In a move to improve access to essential medicines, Kenya also signed a Letter of Intent and Concept Note to fast-track the availability of Cefiderocol, a cutting-edge antibiotic used in the treatment of bacterial pneumonia.
The agreement was signed between the Ministry of Health and Shionogi & Co. Ltd, with support from the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Foundation.
It is aimed at boosting Kenya’s capacity to respond to antimicrobial resistance.
Additionally, a Memorandum of Cooperation on Human Resource Development was concluded between the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
This collaboration will focus on capacity building, skills development, and industrial research.
In his address after the signing of the deals, the President affirmed Kenya’s commitment to leveraging international partnerships to accelerate sustainable development.
He stated that the agreements reflect the country’s forward-looking approach to economic growth, innovation, and public health.
TICAD 9 continues to serve as a strategic platform for strengthening ties between Africa and Japan, with Kenya taking a leading role in forging impactful partnerships.
