By Bonface Mulyungi

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will next week host President William Ruto for a three-day State Visit aimed at strengthening diplomatic, trade and investment ties between South Africa and Kenya.

According to a statement from the South African Presidency, President Ruto will undertake the visit from June 3 to June 5, 2026, at the invitation of President Ramaphosa.

The visit will culminate in a formal welcome ceremony at the Union Buildings in Tshwane on Thursday, June 4, followed by bilateral talks between the two Heads of State and a business forum bringing together stakeholders from both countries.

The South African government said Kenya remains a strategic partner in East Africa and on the African continent, noting that the two countries enjoy longstanding and mutually beneficial relations that were re-established in 1994 following South Africa’s transition to democracy.

“South Africa values Kenya as a strategic partner in the East African region and the continent,” the Presidency said.

During the official talks, the two leaders are expected to discuss ways of deepening cooperation across various sectors and strengthening collaboration on regional and continental priorities.

A key highlight of the visit will be the signing of several Memoranda of Agreement, followed by a joint media briefing at the Union Buildings.

Later in the day, President Ramaphosa and President Ruto will participate in the South Africa-Kenya Business Forum at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, Johannesburg.

The forum will focus on expanding economic cooperation, facilitating business partnerships and exploring strategies to unlock greater trade and investment opportunities between the two countries in strategic sectors of mutual interest.