Kenya’s High Commissioner to South Africa, H.E. Jane Ndurumo, received the European Union’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa, H.E. Kristian Schmidt, for a courtesy call in Pretoria, with discussions focusing on areas of mutual interest including trade, investment, sustainable development, regional peace and security, and multilateral cooperation.
The meeting comes as Schmidt begins his new diplomatic assignment in South Africa. The European External Action Service confirms that he became Ambassador-Designate of the European Union to South Africa on 1 September 2026.
Kenya–EU Relations in Focus
The courtesy call provided an opportunity for the two Heads of Mission to exchange views on Kenya–EU relations and broader areas of cooperation.
According to the Kenya High Commission, the discussions covered a range of issues of mutual interest, including trade and investment, sustainable development, regional peace and security, and multilateral cooperation.
These areas remain important to Kenya’s international engagement as the country continues to pursue partnerships that support economic transformation, investment and development. The Kenya High Commission in Pretoria states that it remains focused on economic transformation and building partnerships that can contribute to mutual prosperity.
Trade and Investment Among Key Areas of Discussion
Trade and investment featured prominently among the issues discussed during the engagement.
For Kenya and the European Union, economic cooperation provides an important platform for strengthening commercial relationships, supporting investment and expanding opportunities between businesses and markets.
The discussions in Pretoria therefore highlighted the broader importance of sustained diplomatic engagement in supporting economic and development priorities.
Sustainable Development and Regional Cooperation
The meeting also addressed sustainable development, regional peace and security, reflecting the interconnected nature of Kenya’s engagement with international partners.
Regional cooperation remains an important component of Kenya’s diplomatic role on the continent, while sustainable development continues to feature prominently in international partnerships involving African countries and the European Union.
