Kenya and Armenia Sign Diaspora Cooperation Agreement

Kenya and Armenia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on diaspora cooperation in Nairobi, marking a new phase in relations between the two countries.

The agreement was signed by Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, Roseline Kathure Njogu, and Armenia’s High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, H.E. Sinanyan Zareh. It aims to strengthen collaboration between the two countries in engaging their citizens living abroad.

Both governments said diaspora communities play an important role in promoting investment, innovation and international connections. They noted that citizens living overseas contribute to economic growth, cultural exchange and stronger links between countries.

Officials from both sides said the agreement is intended to support practical cooperation rather than serve as a symbolic commitment. The framework will encourage closer collaboration between diaspora institutions, improve engagement strategies and support joint programmes focused on skills transfer and entrepreneurship.

Karen Avanesyan, representing Armenia, emphasised the importance of identifying and mapping diaspora resources to support national development efforts. Kenyan officials, including Ambassador Isaiya Kabira, highlighted the need for coordinated approaches to attracting diaspora investment and participation.

The agreement comes as governments around the world place greater emphasis on diaspora engagement as part of their development and foreign policy strategies. For Kenya, remittances from citizens abroad remain an important source of income for households and a significant contributor to the economy. 

Armenia has also benefited from the support of its global diaspora in areas such as economic development and cultural diplomacy. By formalising cooperation, Kenya and Armenia intend to share experiences and develop mechanisms that can help convert diaspora contributions into measurable development outcomes. 

The agreement is expected to support collaboration in areas including capacity-building, policy development and community initiatives. Both countries said they will continue working to strengthen ties through diaspora engagement, while using the global networks of their citizens abroad to support development and deepen bilateral relations.