Kenya Honoured by Germany to Cohost the Annual Citizen’s Festival
As Kenya takes center stage at Bürgerfest, we celebrate not just the cultural showcase but also our deep, enduring partnership based on shared values and principles. This event emphasizes the two countries shared history and ongoing collaboration, while also providing Kenya with many opportunities for strengthening ties, and exploring new avenues of cooperation with Germany and beyond. It also emphasizes Kenya’s expanding involvement in global diplomacy.
From September 13th to 14th, 2024, Kenya will become the first non-European nation to participate in Germany’s Annual Citizen’s Festival, “Bürgerfest,” in Berlin. The event, themed, “Pamoja – Stronger Together,” offers Kenya a distinctive opportunity to exhibit its extensive cultural heritage to a broad European audience. This invitation recognizes Kenya and its increasing global influence and dedication to cultivating international partnerships.
Kenya and Germany have maintained robust partnerships in critical sectors, including but not limited to economic partnership, digital collaboration, climate action, renewable energy, skills development, labor, and peace and security, since 1963. The Bürgerfest will provide a valuable platform for the development of trade, investment, tourism, cultural exchange, and people-to-people connections between the two countries.
Germany has been a critical partner in Kenya’s growth and development, providing critical support in sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, renewable energy, and vocational training. Since 2011, Germany has provided development assistance to Kenya totaling Ksh. 24.08 billion (EUR 227 million). This partnership, which is based on the principles of shared prosperity and equality, has also established Germany as a prominent foreign investor in Kenya. Currently, more than 100 German companies have invested close to Ksh. 150 billion in Kenya. The regional hub for Germany’s main trade promotion agency, AHK, and the largest global office of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) are both located in Nairobi.
Economic diplomacy is being employed by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs to cultivate business and investment opportunities to strengthen its relationship with Germany. While endeavouring to establish Kenya as a top investment destination, the Ministry is consistently fostering sustainable partnerships to stimulate economic growth. This is achieved by facilitating high-level meetings, trade missions, and bilateral discussions between the two countries, as well as engaging German business leaders. The economic partnership between Kenya and Germany will clearly be brought to the force during the festival
Cultural exchange remains a critical component of the existing relationship between Kenya and Germany, and it transcends formal diplomacy. The Goethe-Institute in Nairobi has been promoting German culture since 1963, and through it, Kenyan artists have continued to acquire global recognition, thereby nurturing a creative dialogue between the two nations. The film Nairobi Half-Life (2012), a collaboration between a Kenyan director and a German producer, is an example of how the Nairobi International Film Festival has exhibited German filmmakers in East Africa.
Education has also been another critical area of collaboration. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) continues to facilitate the pursuit of higher education in Germany for thousands of Kenyan students. These students return with valuable expertise that facilitates Kenya’s expansion in academia, industry, and public service.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Germany was one of Kenya’s most significant European source markets, with more than 200,000 German tourists visiting the country annually. The tourism industry in Kenya has been significantly bolstered by German travelers and tour operators. Recognizing this, the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife is in the process of finalizing an extensive partnership with German investors with a bid to increase Kenya’s appeal to German tourism. This encompasses the creation of niche tourism products for the German market.
Schloss Bellevue, the official residence of the German Presidency, hosts the Annual Citizen’s Festival to commemorate the philanthropic efforts of German nationals and to celebrate cultural diversity. The German Presidency selects a partner country each year to exhibit their culture at the Citizen’s Festival. The first day of the event is witnessed by approximately 5,000 invited guests, including the Federal President with the second day open to the public and attracting over 13,000 visitors. This festival takes place as part of signature events to mark 60th anniversary of Kenya-German relations.