Lithuania is looking into Kenya as it seeks to expand its footprint in Africa.
This emerged on Monday during bilateral talks between Amb. Eliphas Barine, the Director General for Political and Diplomatic Affairs and Amb. Kestutis Kudzmanas, the Chief Foreign and Security Policy Adviser to the Prime Minister of Lithuania.
A dispatch by Foreign Affairs Ministry said discussions centered on strengthening bilateral cooperation between Kenya and Lithuania in the sectors of tourism, green energy, education, trade, investment, as well as the development project empowering women in Nakuru County.
“Lithuania was keen to find out why Kenya, when considering expansion of her footprint in Africa,” the statement said.
Barire encouraged the Lithuanian Chamber of Commerce to participate at the World Federation Africa Summit to be hosted by the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) on April 9-11, 2025 in Nairobi.
In February 2022, Lithuania President Gitanas Nauseda said the country ready to expand its goods and services exports to African countries.
President Nauseda added that partners in Africa could also be interested in projects implemented in Lithuania, aimed at creating an environment for business and startups, attracting people to the technological sector, providing e-government services and ensuring sustainable growth.
Among the Lithuanian companies that have established in Kenya is Eleving Group’s, a fintech company.
The meeting follows that of Lithuania Deputy Foreign Minister Gabija Grigaitė-Daugirdė and Ambassador Angeline Kavindu Musili, who is accredited to the Baltic country on February 11.
The two discussed strengthening of bilateral relations, Lithuania’s development cooperation projects in Kenya and future prospects.
Grigaitė-Daugirdė noted that Lithuania and Kenya have great untapped potential to cooperate in smart technology, renewable energy and education, which were particularly important for the long-term development of both countries.
Foreign Vice-Minister expressed hope that Lithuania and Kenya would continue to cooperate within international organisations in the future, strongly supporting the principles of democracy and international law.
Lithuania established diplomatic relations with Kenya in 1992.
The Permanent Representatives of Kenya (Erastus Lokaale) and Lithuania (Rytis Paulauskus as the co-facilitators for intergovernmental consultations to finalise the modalities for the overall review of the implementation of WSIS outcomes.
According to UNGA’s 2024 resolution on ICT for sustainable development (A/RES/79/194), the modalities are to be finalised by the end of March 2025.
