Kenya has secured a major boost in its ties with Washington after the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation confirmed it will open a permanent office in Nairobi from January 2026, signalling strengthened economic cooperation.
The announcement came during a bilateral meeting between President William Ruto and DFC Chief Executive Officer Ben Black in Washington.
The new posting is expected to fast track financing decisions, deepen project oversight and reinforce long term engagement between the two nations.
Talks centred on expanding DFC investments in key sectors supporting Kenya’s Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
These include food security, infrastructure, ICT and energy. Officials noted that the U.S. agency expressed readiness to increase its footprint, citing confidence in Kenya’s economic reforms and growth path.
Infrastructure development featured prominently, with opportunities highlighted in road upgrades, port expansion and plans to modernise Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
President Ruto is in Washington at a critical moment. He is set to witness the signing of a peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The ceremony at the White House follows months of discreet diplomacy, security consultations and intensified regional engagement.
Ruto will join Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and DRC’s President Félix Tshisekedi for the event, which is expected to mark a breakthrough in stabilising eastern Congo and easing tensions between the neighbouring states.
