German minister: Jobs offer open to qualified and skilled Kenyans

Welcome to Kenya Mr Minister Johann Wadephul. Kenya and Germany have had a longstanding relationship. What would you say is the status of that relationship? What brings you to Kenya at this time?

Kenya is one of Germany’s key partners in Africa – politically, economically and strategically. Our relationship is, long-standing, based on trust, and working for concrete results. With my visit I want to underline that East Africa is becoming more central to global stability, growth and climate policy. In a more fragmented world, we want to deepen partnerships based on shared interests, mutual respect and real long-term cooperation. And we see huge potential to deepen our economic cooperation.

Kenya has struggled to strengthen healthcare through Universal Health Coverage (UHC), digital health and medical training. What kind of support can Germany give in those areas, especially in regard to treatment and management of Cancer cases?

Germany has a strong public health system. Through our development cooperation we have supported Kenya’s health sector for many years. Meanwhile, our cooperation focus has changed. But we are still active in health sector, especially by facilitating know-how exchanges. To this end, German experts will soon be coming to Kenya to provide support on dealing with the Marburg virus.

There has been talk about Germany facilitating labour mobility for Kenyan healthcare workers (especially nurses) to find jobs and training in Germany; how is that progressing? Are there any bilateral agreements signed? Presidents Ruto and former Chancellor Scholz signed a jobs deal to facilitate skilled migration from Kenya to Germany. Is it still on, and what is the status? How many Kenyans have travelled so far?

Germany and Kenya agreed on a migration and mobility partnership without specific quotas. The implementation is under way with a lot of progress. In principle, all Kenyans have the same opportunities, provided the immigration requirements are met. Germany needs skilled workers and we agreed on sectors where no brain drain is to be expected for Kenya. We see a rising number of Kenyans taking up the opportunity. However, there are still some bottle-necks remaining, such as language training, which we are jointly tackling. At the same time, Germany is supporting Kenya in creating local employment, for example through vocational training programmes and support to start-up companies.

The US recently withdrew funding for HIV and Aids control programmes. What is Germany prepared to do to support continuous collaboration in fighting HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria?

Global health security is not optional – it is in everyone’s interest; as infectious diseases know no borders. For this reason, Germany continues to be one of the strongest supporters of the Global Fund to fight HIV, tuberculosis and malaria; we committed an extra billion euros in October 2025.

Kenya is still struggling to meet food sufficiency. Is there anything Germany is doing to help the sector?

Food security is not just an agricultural issue – it is a political and security issue. Germany is supporting climate-resilient agriculture, irrigation, value chain development and export readiness to strengthen local resilience, productivity and trade with German and European markets. We know how important agriculture is for Kenya, which is why it is one of the main pillars of our development cooperation.

Some Western powers have shown reluctance to tackle climate crisis. What is Germany doing to make it happen at a time of heightened geopolitical conflict and anxiety?

Those who step back from climate responsibility today will pay a higher price tomorrow. Africa, and Kenya in particular, will be decisive for whether the global transition to sustainability succeeds. And we appreciate the steps Kenya has taken so far. Kenya is clearly a champion of climate action and green energy on the continent.

Kenya is grappling with waste management, especially in major towns like Nairobi. Is that (processing waste) an area that German investors can take advantage of to develop our civic works?

Waste management is a huge environmental and economic opportunity. German companies are world leaders in recycling and circular economy. This is exactly the kind of investment that creates jobs, improves living conditions and protects health.

What is the future of NATO, now that Trump is threatening to annex Greenland?

NATO is the backbone of European security. We are in close exchange with our NATO partners including the United States. I was in Washington last week and had constructive talks with US-Secretary of State Rubio. Our joint European position on Greenland is clear.

How is Germany helping to ensure Africa harnesses its vast resources, including rare earth minerals such as Coltan, that are key in the development of electric cars, among other uses?

It is an important priority for the German government to de-risk and diversify with view to critical minerals. Africa’s leaders have stated that they do not want to repeat the old pattern of exporting raw materials and importing finished products. Rightly so. We stand ready to forge partnerships and investment opportunities that create local value and adhere to principles of good governance and transparency. That is in Africa’s interest – and in ours. We focus on win-win opportunities.

Is Germany concerned about conflicts and wars in Africa, and what assistance is it giving to improve democracy and good governance?

Conflicts in Africa affect Europe in different ways – through humanitarian crises and forced migration, instability and loss of economic potential. Germany is strongly engaged in conflict prevention, mediation and institution-building. Just to give one example on a conflict that has direct impacts on Kenya: We are hosting the next Sudan Conference in Berlin in April. The objective must be to end the fighting in Sudan and start a negotiation process. The people of Sudan are going through immeasurable suffering.

It has to stop now. Germany is supporting Kenya with up to 21 million euro in strengthening the socio-economic inclusion of refugees through the implementation of the Shirika Plan so that refugees are better integrated into local communities.

We saw death, abductions and detention of opposition politicians in Tanzania and Uganda. Some of those killed and abducted have never been accounted for. What steps can Germany take to stop these kinds of very worrying human rights abuses?

The high number of killed people in the aftermath of the elections in Tanzania is deeply concerning. The events surrounding the elections in Tanzania and Uganda have shed a negative light on the electoral processes. We raise this clearly and directly in our political talks. Respect for human rights and political freedoms is not negotiable.

Kenya will be holding elections in 2027. What kind of support will you be providing to ensure that the country conducts free, fair and verifiable elections?

Kenya is a pillar of stability in the region. Free, fair and peaceful elections in 2027 are therefore of strategic importance. Germany will continue to support institutions, civil society and credible electoral processes.

China is heavily involved in developing roads and railways in Kenya and other countries in Africa. Why has Germany been largely absent in that space, and what is it doing to increase its presence?

Germany and the EU are very interested in a stronger cooperation with Kenya and other African countries on sustainable infrastructure. Sustainable also means financially sustainable and free of debt traps. This is also the spirit reflected in the EUs Global Gateway Strategy, which has mobilized 80 billion dollars since 2021 for infrastructure projects in Sub-Saharan Africa alone.

In addition, Germany is supporting various projects in Kenya, like the Northern Corridor Authority in Mombasa to attract private investment that serves local development. Now is the right time to take this cooperation further. We offer high quality and climate-proof, sustainable, transparent and financially sound infrastructure that goes hand in hand with knowledge transfer and local job creation.