In early December, a delegation of over 50 Estonian business leaders and representatives from various companies and organisations visited Kenya to explore opportunities and strengthen trade ties. The visit coincided with the regional honorary consuls’ conference and included a business seminar aimed at supporting Estonian enterprises in expanding their footprint across Africa. Many participating firms also took part in the Latitude59 Kenya startup event, which is expected to attract more than 3,000 participants from across the continent.
Estonia’s Ambassador to Kenya and South Africa, Daniel Schaer, highlighted the growing importance of Africa as a hub for Estonian entrepreneurship. “Our engagement with Kenya and the broader African market has never been stronger. This week, we are meeting our African honorary consuls, assisting companies in building strategic contacts, and taking part in the Latitude59 event,” he said. Schaer added that the continent’s rapid economic growth presents immense opportunities for innovative businesses. “With our upcoming embassy in Nairobi, Estonia will be better positioned to showcase its technology, facilitate trade links, and demonstrate the reliability of Estonian companies. Kenya is truly a gateway to Africa for entrepreneurs.”
On December 2–3, Estonia hosted a seminar for its honorary consuls in Africa, covering the country’s economic landscape, consular matters, development cooperation, and other pressing issues. Currently, Estonia has 14 honorary consuls and four candidates across Africa, reflecting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ commitment to expanding its network and influence on the continent.
Kadri Humal Ayal, Estonia’s honorary consul in Kenya since 2008, has played a pivotal role in fostering Kenya-Estonia cooperation. Schaer praised her contributions, noting her work in strengthening educational ties, supporting Estonian companies, and engaging the local Estonian community. Ayal highlighted the broader goals of Estonia’s honorary consuls: to enhance business, economic, and development cooperation across Africa. “These gatherings allow us to share experiences, coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ESTDEV, and Enterprise Estonia, and collectively represent Estonia’s interests more effectively,” she explained.
The opening of Estonia’s Nairobi embassy marks a significant milestone in deepening ties with East Africa’s 340 million-strong market. According to Ayal, the embassy will enhance visibility, communication, and project collaboration in areas such as digital governance, green technology, and education, enabling Estonia to safeguard and expand its interests across the region.
From December 3–5, the Latitude59 Kenya event provided a platform for Estonian startups, investors, and entrepreneurs involved in ESTDEV development cooperation projects. Companies like Bolt highlighted the strategic importance of Kenya and Africa as key markets for technology-driven solutions. Weyinmi Aghadiuno, Bolt’s Head of Regulation and Policy in Africa, said, “Participating in Latitude59 is essential for shaping the future of mobility and digital services. It allows collaboration between founders, investors, and policymakers, especially as Estonia strengthens its presence across the region.”
The delegation and events underscore Kenya’s role as a gateway for entrepreneurs seeking to enter the African market, while demonstrating Estonia’s commitment to supporting innovation, sustainable development, and cross-border business partnerships across the continent.
