International

Thuringia meets Kenya: New perspectives for international economic partnerships.

A week that creates connections: Kenyan delegation is thrilled by Thuringia.

Published

25.06.2026

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Hakim Kennich

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It often all begins with a first conversation, the exchange of ideas for innovative technologies. It was precisely such moments that characterized the visit of the Kenyan business delegation to Thuringia. They could be the start of long-term cooperation between East Africa and the Free State.

From June 14 to 19, 2026, a 13-member delegation from Taita Taveta County was traveling in Thuringia. Representatives from politics and business specifically explored the innovation landscape of the Free State. They made stops in Jena, Weimar, and Erfurt, among other places.

Your focus: Industries that are of central importance for both Thuringia and Kenya and for which cooperation is promising and profitable. And these are above all:

Infrastructure and Construction
Energy, Green Tech
Water and Food Technologies

Tourism and Hospitality
Raw Materials and Mining

Whether visiting the Jena Technology Park, research institutions such as the IAB in Weimar, or Thuringian companies in the food and agricultural technology sectors: each stop offered space for exchange, inspiration, and concrete points of contact for further collaboration. A special moment of the week was the Kenya (East Africa) Country Economic Symposium at the COMCENTER Brühl Erfurt business location. Here, Thuringian companies and the delegation came together in a pitch and match format – directly, practically, and on equal footing. Input from Thuringia's Minister of Economic Affairs Colette Boos-John and the Deputy Governor of Taita Taveta underscored the strategic importance of the cooperation.

Kenya is East Africa's largest economy and most important logistics hub. A dynamic digital economy, as well as agriculture and services, drive growth. The country is modernizing its transport and energy networks under Kenya Vision 2030 and promoting green hydrogen and e-mobility. In addition, the region's central trade route is being expanded with Global Gateway funds. Nairobi is known as the "Silicon Savannah“ and hosts important innovation centers of international companies.

This opens up a broad spectrum of opportunities for Thuringian companies:

Market Access in East Africa: Direct Contacte to political and economic decision-makers
Technological knowledge transfer: Especially in agriculture, energy, and sustainable solutions
New Business Fields: Cooperations in innovative industries
Long-term partnerships: Networking of business, research, and politics

The delegation visit in June showed: Thuringia has exactly the competencies that are in demand internationally and currently also in Kenya.

Thus, after a week full of encounters, not only new business cards remain on the desk and memories, but also a growing network between Thuringia and Kenya. The discussions that began in Jena, the ideas that were further developed in Weimar, and the Contacte that were established in Erfurt form the foundation for future projects.

Kenya Inside | Facts

Gross domestic product: approx. 136 billion USD. This makes the country the largest economy in East Africa. Population: approx. 58 million people. Kenya
The population is young, digitally connected, and drives dynamic economic development.
Economy: In an African comparison, Kenya is broadly diversified economically.
Key sectors: Agriculture (approx. 21%), Industry (approx. 16%), Services (approx. 56%). The capital and labor markets are relatively well developed. The country also has an innovation-driven start-up sector, particularly in the areas of Fintech, Insuretech, Climate and Mobility Technologies, Agri-Tech, and Health Technologies.