By Kemuma Achieng
Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar began a three-day state visit to Kenya on Saturday, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and advancing cooperation in digital governance, smart infrastructure, and data protection. The visit signals a shared commitment between Slovenia and Kenya to leverage technology for sustainable development and innovation-led economic growth.
Upon her arrival in Nairobi, President Pirc Musar was received with full state honors, marking a historic moment in Slovenia-Kenya relations. The visit, which commenced on May 31, underscores both countries' strategic interest in deepening collaboration in key sectors driving the global digital economy.
In a bilateral meeting held at State House, President Pirc Musar and her Kenyan counterpart, President William Ruto, emphasized the critical role of technology in public service delivery and economic transformation. President Ruto praised Slovenia’s expertise in digital governance, stating, “Slovenia’s strengths in e-government, smart infrastructure, and data protection align closely with Kenya’s ambition to become Africa’s digital innovation hub.”
Discussions between the two leaders centered on how Slovenia’s advanced digital systems can inform Kenya’s ongoing efforts to digitize public services, enhance cybersecurity, and build intelligent infrastructure capable of supporting inclusive economic development. The leaders explored opportunities for technical partnerships, knowledge exchange, and the development of frameworks to ensure secure and efficient digital ecosystems.
The state visit also included high-level engagements with government officials and technology stakeholders, with both sides expressing optimism about forging long-term cooperation. Areas under review include joint projects in digital infrastructure, capacity building in cybersecurity, and innovation policy development.
President Pirc Musar’s visit comes at a time when Kenya is intensifying its digital transformation agenda under the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Plan (BETA), which prioritizes ICT development as a pillar of economic empowerment and service delivery.
“Slovenia’s digital journey offers valuable lessons that Kenya can adopt to accelerate its digital economy,” President Pirc Musar remarked, expressing her commitment to fostering a partnership rooted in innovation and mutual benefit.
The visit is expected to culminate in the signing of memoranda of understanding to formalize cooperation across multiple sectors, particularly in technology and governance.
As Kenya and Slovenia chart a path toward deeper engagement, the visit by President Pirc Musar marks a pivotal step in building a modern, innovation-driven alliance, reinforcing both nations' commitment to a digitally secure and sustainable future.
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