Latvia, a European nation, has announced plans to open a consulate in Nairobi as part of efforts to strengthen its diplomatic and foreign relations with Kenya.
Latvia’s ambassador to Kenya, Andris Razans—based in Egypt and overseeing the African continent—cited Kenya’s position as one of Africa’s most tech-forward economies and the vast opportunities in technology, agriculture, and start-up support as key reasons behind the move to establish a consulate in Nairobi.
Speaking at a high-powered business forum attended by industry leaders from both Kenya and Latvia, Ambassador Razans remarked that the Latvian government is working with Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to secure approvals for a consular presence.
Currently, Kenyans seeking to travel to Latvia must go through the Hungarian Embassy in Nairobi, which handles Latvia’s visa and consular services.
This move is viewed as a crucial step in advancing Kenya’s national agenda for global trade integration and economic transformation.
Further, the decision has been catalysed by growing bilateral interest, which has created the need for a stronger and more reliable diplomatic framework.
However, the diplomat expressed reservations that the process depends on approval from the Kenyan government.
The process, if successful, is expected to be completed before the end of the year, marking another diplomatic achievement for the two nations.
"We are in the process of establishing a presence in Kenya. If all goes well, and the Kenyan government supports all these, then by the end of the year, we shall have achieved that," Razans stated.
''This means that businesses will be following as well. We might be able to open an honourary consulate and enable us to issue visas, among other honourary advantages.''
In May 2023, political consultations between Latvia and Kenya led to agreements on enhancing cooperation in information and communication technologies, agriculture, and education.
The two nations also agreed to establish a mechanism for regular political dialogue and to sign an Air Transport Agreement to facilitate travel and trade.
Latvia has shown particular interest in collaborating with Kenya on digital transformation, sustainable forestry, renewable energy, and tourism. The Latvian Ambassador highlighted opportunities for joint ventures in fintech, agritech, and e-learning solutions.
