Ruto gets 21-gun salute as he begins South Africa State visit

President William Ruto on Thursday received full state honours upon arrival in South Africa, marking the start of his official visit to strengthen bilateral relations between Nairobi and Pretoria.

President Ruto was warmly received at the Union Buildings in Pretoria by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in a ceremonial welcome.

Ruto was accorded a 21-gun salute as the national anthem played.

Military honours were mounted at the venue, with a parade inspection forming part of the official reception.

After the ceremonial welcome, President Ruto inspected the guard of honour before exchanging greetings with leaders and senior officials present at the event.

The visit is expected to focus on enhancing cooperation between Kenya and South Africa in areas including trade, investment, regional integration, and multilateral diplomacy within the African Union framework.

The two leaders are also expected to hold bilateral talks to review progress on existing agreements and explore new areas.

The State Visit is a reciprocal engagement following previous high-level interactions between the two countries in 2021 and 2022 and reflects growing cooperation between two of Africa’s leading economies.

According to the Kenyan High Commission in Pretoria, the visit is intended to further strengthen the mutually beneficial partnership between the two nations and enhance cooperation in areas of shared interest.

“As the highest form of diplomatic engagement between sovereign states, the visit underscores the longstanding friendship, mutual respect and strong bilateral relations between Kenya and South Africa,” the mission said.

Economic relations are expected to dominate the discussions.

South Africa considers Kenya its key strategic partner in East Africa, while Kenya remains South Africa’s largest trading partner on the continent outside the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Trade between the two countries has continued to grow, with South Africa exporting goods worth approximately R11.1 billion to Kenya in 2025, while imports from Kenya stood at about R464 million.

More than 75 South African companies currently operate in Kenya in sectors including banking, telecommunications, energy, retail, logistics and hospitality.

The leaders are also expected to review progress made through the Joint Commission for Cooperation, the main framework guiding bilateral relations.

During the visit, Kenya and South Africa are expected to sign six new Memoranda of Understanding, bringing the total number of bilateral agreements between the two countries to 34.

Existing agreements cover areas such as agriculture, education, tourism, transport, defence, trade, water and sanitation.

The talks are also expected to focus on opportunities arising from the African Continental Free Trade Area, infrastructure projects including the LAPSSET Corridor, renewable energy investments and logistics development.

Following the bilateral talks, the two Heads of State will witness the signing of agreements, address a joint media briefing and later attend the South Africa-Kenya Business Forum at Gallagher Estate in Midrand.