Kenya is deepening ties with Azerbaijan to bolster President William Ruto’s ambitious affordable housing program, with officials highlighting cooperation in urban development and sustainable building as bilateral relations expand.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi met with Azerbaijan’s Ambassador Sultan Hajiyev in Nairobi on Dec. 10, discussing collaboration in housing, sustainable development and digital public services.
Mudavadi described the talks as a sign of growing momentum, noting both countries are preparing for the World Urban Forum that Azerbaijan will host in Baku in 2026.
“It is encouraging to see the momentum of our relationship continue to build,” Mudavadi said in a statement. “The upcoming World Urban Forum will deepen this collaboration even further as we push for safe, affordable and inclusive urban housing.”
Housing central to Ruto’s agenda
Ruto has made affordable housing a cornerstone of his administration, aiming to build hundreds of thousands of units annually to address a severe shortage, create jobs and stimulate economic growth through construction.
The program has faced setbacks, including legal challenges to a housing levy and slower-than-expected delivery, but the government says progress is accelerating with more than 140,000 units completed in recent years.
Kenya is now looking abroad for expertise and partnerships to meet its targets, and Azerbaijan has emerged as an unlikely but strategic ally.
Azerbaijan’s experience draws interest
Since 2016, Azerbaijan has pursued its own Strategic Roadmap for Development of Affordable Housing, focusing on increasing access to homes, raising living standards, creating jobs and expanding the mortgage market.
Baku has also gained recognition for its ASAN service model, a one-stop digital platform for public services that has been adopted by other countries. Kenyan officials have expressed interest in adapting elements of the system to improve efficiency at Huduma Centres and advance digital governance reforms.
The two nations see the 2026 World Urban Forum as an opportunity to showcase joint efforts and attract global support for inclusive urban housing.
Broader cooperation on the horizon
Beyond housing, Mudavadi and Hajiyev explored opportunities in tourism, energy and digital innovation.
Azerbaijan, a major oil and gas producer, brings expertise in energy transitions, while Kenya seeks to diversify partnerships and embrace green technologies.
Diplomatic relations have warmed in recent years. Azerbaijan opened its embassy in Nairobi in June 2023, following high-level exchanges that included a meeting between Ruto and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
The embassy has helped drive engagement, with both sides emphasizing shared goals in sustainable development.
Mudavadi said the housing agenda “speaks to the shared aspirations of both Kenya and Azerbaijan for a more sustainable and equitable future.”
Challenges remain for Kenya’s program
Despite the international outreach, Kenya’s housing initiative continues to grapple with funding gaps and public skepticism over affordability for low-income earners.
Officials hope partnerships like the one with Azerbaijan will bring technical know-how, investment and visibility to help close those gaps.
As the 2026 forum approaches, Kenya plans to leverage the global stage to advance its urban development priorities while learning from Azerbaijan’s rapid modernization efforts.
