Kenya, Germany Sign Deal to Expand Jobs for Skilled Kenyan Workers

Kenya has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce for Eastern Africa (AHK Eastern Africa) to strengthen labour mobility, skills recognition and economic cooperation with Germany.

The agreement was signed in Nairobi by Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu and Dagmar von Bohnstein, Delegate of AHK Eastern Africa. It establishes a framework to create structured pathways for Kenyan professionals to access employment opportunities in Germany, particularly in sectors experiencing skills shortages. The partnership also aims to align training programmes in Kenya with the needs of the German labour market.

The State Department for Diaspora Affairs (SDDA) said the agreement will improve coordination between government institutions, industry partners and diaspora networks. The department said the partnership is intended to help Kenyan professionals secure employment abroad while ensuring their qualifications are recognised. 

In a statement, the SDDA said the agreement reflects a shared commitment to strengthening structured labour mobility, improving skills recognition and expanding economic cooperation between the two countries. AHK Eastern Africa represents German business interests across the region and supports trade and investment between Germany and East Africa. 

Its participation in the agreement forms part of Germany's efforts to work with African countries to address labour shortages while supporting economic development. For Kenya, the partnership supports efforts to connect local skills development with international employment opportunities and promote safe and organised labour migration.

Senior SDDA officials, including directors and foreign service officers, attended the signing ceremony, reflecting the government's focus on labour mobility as part of its international cooperation agenda. The agreement also builds on Kenya's broader engagement with Germany in areas including trade, technology transfer and workforce development.

The MoU provides a framework for expanding overseas employment opportunities for skilled Kenyan workers while supporting the country's efforts to address unemployment and underemployment. It also gives Germany access to trained professionals to help meet workforce demand in key sectors affected by labour shortages.