Tuesday, September 15, 2026 (NAIROBI)__The State Department for Diaspora Affairs (SDDA) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with key German institutions to deepen cooperation on labour mobility, marking a significant step in translating the Kenya–Germany Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement into tangible opportunities for skilled Kenyan workers.
Speaking during the Conference and Information Day on Labour Mobility at which the MoU was signed, Principal Secretary Ms. Roseline Kathure Njogu, CBS, said the agreement between SDDA, AHK Services Eastern Africa, the Nuremberg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK Nürnberg für Mittelfranken), the Work-and-Stay Center Mittelfranken, and the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) demonstrates that cooperation between the two countries is moving from broad commitments to structured, practical implementation.
“Kenya has a young, talented and increasingly skilled workforce, while Germany continues to experience demand for skilled workers in several sectors. This creates an opportunity for mutually beneficial cooperation,” Ms. Njogu said.
The Principal Secretary emphasized that the objective is not simply to facilitate the movement of people, but to establish credible pathways from Kenyan talent to decent, safe and sustainable employment in Germany. She noted that this requires close collaboration between governments, employers, training institutions, qualifications authorities, recruitment actors and the candidates themselves.
Key areas of focus under the partnership include skills development, qualifications recognition, and language preparation. Ms. Njogu stressed that German-language competence is essential not only as an immigration requirement but for professional performance, workplace communication and successful integration.
The Government of Kenya also placed strong emphasis on ethical recruitment and the protection of Diaspora Work. “Kenyans seeking opportunities abroad must receive accurate information, transparent recruitment processes and clear employment contracts. Protection must begin before departure and continue throughout the migration and employment journey,” she said.
The MoU builds on earlier milestones, including the Letter of Intent signed between Kenya and IHK Nürnberg in January 2026 and the SDDA–AHK Services Eastern Africa MoU signed in July 2026. Together, these agreements are creating a comprehensive architecture to support safe, orderly and regular labour mobility.
PS Njogu encouraged the Kenyan candidates participating in the programme to take full advantage of the opportunity, noting that international employment requires the right qualifications, language skills, professionalism and commitment.
“Kenya has the talent. Germany has the demand. Our partnership is building bridges between the two. Our task now is to make that bridge stronger, wider, safer and more productive,” she said.
The Principal Secretary thanked the German partners for their continued confidence in Kenyan talent and commitment to the partnership, expressing hope that the collaboration would deliver tangible results for both countries.
Present at the meeting Christian Engels, Managing Director, AHK Services Eastern Africa Ltd, Dr. Armin Zitzmann, President, Nuremberg Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Middle Franconia (IHK Nürnberg für Mittelfranken, Markus Lötzsch, Managing Director, Work-and-Stay Center Mittelfranken gGmbH, and Ms. Irene Karari-Director, Office of the Principal Secretary.