Slovakia is increasing its push into East Africa, with a high-level government and business delegation visiting Nairobi to build direct partnerships with more than 60 Kenyan companies operating across fast-growing sectors.
The visit shows a clear strategy to position Kenya as a gateway to the wider East African market. At the center of the engagement was a business-to-business forum organized by the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO) together with the Slovak Embassy in Nairobi and facilitated by Equity Bank Kenya.
Companies and officials from both countries explored opportunities in sectors including renewable energy, ICT and digital solutions, healthcare and telemedicine, agri-tech and food processing, cybersecurity and defence, green technology, water management, and construction.
Slovakia Strategic Push Into East Africa
Samuel Cellar, Trade Counselor at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic, said Slovakia already has a strong industrial base, with more than 60,000 companies operating in areas such as energy, healthcare, ICT, cybersecurity, and defense.
He noted that expanding into Africa has often been slowed by difficulties in identifying reliable local partners.
“The first Slovak mission to Kenya came in 2003. The second in 2023. Now in 2026, we are bringing a big part of the government, which confirms that Slovakia’s interest is truly rising,” he said.
Daniela Koladová, Director at Slovakia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Kenya’s economic growth and sector diversity make it an attractive partner for long-term collaboration.
Daniella pointed to opportunities in infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, agriculture, and financial services, adding that the engagement is meant to support sustained cooperation rather than one-off deals.
Equity Bank Kenya Managing Director Moses Nyabanda said the bank is positioning itself as a bridge for international investors seeking entry into the East African market, which serves more than 300 million people.
“If you’re a Slovak entrepreneur asking how to get into this market, Equity has already done that for you,” he told delegates, noting the region’s steady economic growth.
The EU–Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement was also highlighted as providing a clear legal and trade framework to support new investments and partnerships between European and Kenyan firms.
Equity Bank’s Group Director of Trade Finance, Brendan Du Preez, said the bank is supporting this process by offering tailored financial and trade solutions to businesses entering African markets.
Partnerships Begin to Take Shape
On the ground, Slovak companies used the forum to begin building direct relationships with Kenyan firms, focusing on practical collaborations rather than exploratory talks.
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Klara Richtarechova, CEO of security technology firm Desyre, said her company is seeking a Kenyan partner to co-develop mobile detection systems to support law enforcement agencies. The project reflects growing demand for modern security solutions and offers potential for technology transfer.
“Our goal is to build together a mobile detection system for Kenyan law enforcement agencies,” she said.
In the agriculture and climate space, Michal Choma of Barani Design Technologies said his company is working to introduce weather-monitoring systems to support farmers facing climate-related challenges.
The firm has already initiated discussions with development organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme and is now looking for a local distributor to bring its products into the Kenyan market.
From the Kenyan side, Engineer Martin Kiere, CEO of ICT firm Inform Systems Limited, said the engagement signals a shift towards more structured business cooperation.
He noted that Slovak companies are actively seeking reliable distributors and manufacturing partners in Kenya, opening opportunities for local firms.
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