Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to make a landmark official visit to Kenya in November 2025, to champion diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The upcoming visit marks the first trip to Kenya by Prime Minister Ibrahim since he assumed office following his party’s victory in the country’s 2022 general election.
It will also be only the second visit to Kenya by a sitting Malaysian Head of Government since former Prime Minister Abdullah bin Ahmad Badawi’s visit in April 2007.
The visit comes as the two countries prepare to formalize a groundbreaking bilateral agreement focused on affordable housing construction in Kenya. The partnership will leverage Malaysia’s extensive construction expertise to support the Kenya Kwanza government’s ambitious housing program.
“Following Malaysia’s election as President of the UN-Habitat Assembly for the 2025 -2027 term, we are eager to work closely with Kenya in advancing housing projects that are dignified, sustainable and accessible,” explained Ambassador Ruzaimi Mohamad, Malaysia’s High Commissioner in Nairobi.“Kenya has a lot of land for construction while Malaysia on the other hand has a lot of expertise in construction which makes this partnership a perfect fit.”
The housing collaboration follows discussions between Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Lands & Housing, Alice Wahome and Malaysia’s Minister of Housing and Local Government Nga Kor Ming, during meetings held in Nairobi in May 2025.
Speaking during Malaysia’s 68th Independence Day celebration held at the JW Marriott Hotel in Nairobi on Sunday, CS Wahome expressed confidence in the partnership’s potential.
“We are confident that our relevant agencies will continue facilitating strong trade and investment ties between our nations,” she stated. “Our target of 200,000 housing units is an immediately available opportunity for investment which is guaranteed by the affordable housing levy.”The Cabinet Secretary’s remarks underscore Kenya’s commitment to addressing its housing deficit through strategic international partnerships, with the affordable housing levy providing a financial foundation for the ambitious construction program.
Prime Minister Ibrahim’s Kenya visit forms part of a wider Sub-Saharan Africa tour that will include stops in Ethiopia and South Africa. In South Africa, the Malaysian leader is expected to participate in the G20 summit scheduled for November 22-23, 2025.
During his time in Kenya, Prime Minister Ibrahim is expected to participate in high-level roundtable meetings with key trade sector stakeholders, aimed at deepening business cooperation between the two nations beyond the housing sector.
