From March 18 to 20, 2025, Kenya welcomed King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Kingdom of the Netherlands on a historic state visit that represented the growing partnership between the two nations. This visit aimed to deepen diplomatic relations and foster collaboration on key issues such as water security, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture. According to the delegation, the visit was essential due to the significant trade relations between Kenya and the Netherlands.
Kenya exports approximately half a billion euros worth of products to the Netherlands annually, and the Netherlands exports nearly the same amount back to Kenya. It’s no surprise that, alongside three ministers, more than fifty entrepreneurs accompanied the royal couple.
Bilateral ties are estimated to go back to the 1970s. Relations between both countries are generally good. The Dutch government unlike most European countries is cutting its aid to Kenya which was at KES. 2.7 billion (EUR. 25.4 million) in 2014. It is estimated that this will drop to KES. 1.6 billion (EUR.
In 2011 trade between Kenya and the Netherlands was worth KES. 91 billion (EUR. The Netherlands is the fifth largest export destination for Kenyan goods worldwide.
Multinational corporations such as Phillips, Unilever, Shell, KLM, Boskalis and Heineken have operations in Kenya. Air France-KLM owns a 26% stake in Kenya Airways, Africa's fourth largest airline. Kenya has an embassy in The Hague.
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Focus on Sustainable Agriculture and Water Management
Alongside the state visit, an economic mission focusing on water management and sustainable agriculture has brought together Dutch companies, research institutions, and policymakers. This week, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands arrived in Kenya for a state visit aimed at deepening diplomatic relations and fostering collaboration on key issues such as water security, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture.
The Dutch state visit to Kenya marks an important step in strengthening cooperation on sustainable water management and climate adaptation. He pauses briefly. Today marked the official launch of the four-day Netherlands Trade Mission on Sustainable Agriculture and Water to Kenya. Bringing together over 100 participants from more than 50 Dutch companies, this mission provides a platform for exploring business and partnership opportunities in these vital sectors.
A dynamic program has been designed to support the mission’s objectives, featuring B2B matchmaking, field visits, knowledge exchange sessions, insights into financial opportunities, networking, and a business forum. Bart Pauwels Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP)Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kenya Netherlands Business Hub Kenya Pim van der Male Netherlands Enterprise Agency Anneke Kamp, van de Amboko H.
Addressing Water Challenges
Kenya faces severe water quality and availability challenges, with rapid urbanization, industrial expansion, and climate variability putting immense pressure on its resources. Amid growing concerns over water pollution, resource management, and the effects of climate change, Kenya is making strategic investments to secure its water future. The country’s National Water Plan is focused on increasing water storage capacity, improving ecosystem conservation, and combating pollution from industrial and urban sources.
Major rivers and lakes that are vital for drinking water, agriculture, and wildlife are suffering from pollution and eutrophication, threatening ecosystems and livelihoods. Freshwater lakes around the globe are struggling. Similarly, freshwater lakes in Kenya as well as their reservoirs are experiencing increasing pollution, leading to harmful algal blooms which in turn, reduces oxygen levels and causes ecosystem degradation.
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During the visit, the Dutch royal couple met with government officials, environmental organizations, and water industry leaders to explore new solutions for improving water management, enhancing irrigation efficiency, and reducing pollution. One of the key Dutch participants is LG Sonic, a leader in water quality monitoring and chemical-free algae control solutions. LG Sonic specializes in real-time water quality monitoring and algae control using ultrasonic technology, offering a sustainable, non-chemical solution to mitigate water pollution.
During the economic mission, LG Sonic engaged with Kenyan water agencies, environmental organizations, and policy experts to discuss potential collaborations.
The Flower Industry: A Blooming Partnership
A Dutch Master Who Works in Flowers
Kenya is one of the leading exporters of cut flowers. The flower industry significantly contributes to the country’s economy and employs hundreds of thousands. The Royal Delegation toured several high-tech flower farms, especially in the Naivasha region, renowned for its different varieties of flower production.
Many of these farms are Dutch-owned or partnered, exemplifying sustainable practices, technological innovation, and socio-economic empowerment. “The Netherlands is one of the five most important investors in Kenya. With Eddy Verbeek the General Manager of Florensis Kenya. “My first pilot's license that was not Dutch was a Kenyan pilot's license. The number was Y 2294 PL. I obtained it from Gladys at DCA, first floor, first office on the left. I vividly remember the summer of 1989 when I went there.
The Netherlands continues to be Kenya’s leading horticultural export destination, accounting for 27.3% of exports, according to the Kenyan Ministry of Agriculture. The royal couple visited and engaged in discussions with the players in the floriculture sector, more so about the industry's future. Such discussions also included insights from Berg RoseS CEO Arie van den Berg. A recurring theme in the current global flower industry is sustainability.
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With the growth of the Kenyan flower industry, growers in the country have increasingly adopted eco-friendly practices, such as rainwater harvesting, solar energy, and biological pest control, to meet stringent European standards. King Willem-Alexander at breeder Florensis. At an official visit hosted by Naivasha-based Florensis, a Dutch flower company with deep roots in Kenya, the royal couple joined stakeholders in discussions on the flower industry, allowing Florensis to showcase its commitment to sustainability, which countered some of the negative narratives associated with the Kenyan flower sector.
The breeder and propagator is known to combine technology with sustainable agricultural practices to provide high-quality plants worldwide through its modern greenhouses that utilize innovative techniques, such as climate optimization and solar energy, minimizing environmental impact. The Kenya Flower Council (KFC) also had the opportunity to host the royal couple, highlighting the significance of the relevant certifications in the flower sector.
KFC is the umbrella organization for the flower industry in Kenya, significantly influencing the country’s overall flower sector. Meanwhile, Thursd’s Rosemary Kimunya, a Kenyan floral entrepreneur, showcased the artistry behind Dutch-Kenyan floral designs, merging traditional African aesthetics with European elegance through the designs of the venues that hosted the royal couple.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima's entourage visited numerous other programs in various parts of the country, including a tour of the Naivasha Inland Container Depot, which could ease flower delivery for export. "We are grateful that we have deepened our understanding of Kenyans’ perceptions. For sixty years, Kenya and the Netherlands have shown how interconnected Africa and Europe are and how fruitful our cooperation has been.
Shifting from Aid to Trade
The focus on trade interests and reduced attention to development aid aligns with a global trend. Governments are cutting back sharply on development programs, led by President Donald Trump and the dismantling of USAID, the US aid agency. In a policy brief, Klever announced her development policy last month. Significant cuts are particularly targeted at lobbying programs.
Funding for organizations like UN Women, the United Nations organization for women’s rights and gender equality, is being withdrawn. The Schoof Cabinet had previously agreed to cut 2.4 billion euros from development aid starting in 2027. Minister Klever does not hesitate long about the fate of the theater project. ‘No, we’re not continuing it,’ she says firmly. ‘It’s very difficult to determine how useful such projects are.’
In her letter to Parliament, the minister wrote: ‘The Netherlands is a country with strong shoulders, but it cannot solve all the world’s problems with development aid.’ Klever is therefore shifting the focus ‘to Dutch interests.’ During her visit to Kenya, the emphasis was on foreign trade rather than development aid. According to Klever, trade is more sustainable than development aid, for example by investing in the agricultural sector.
‘That benefits the country, but also the Dutch citizen. After all, a third of our income comes from trade.’ Issues like women’s rights are therefore not directly addressed during the visit. However, the minister says women should be involved in business dealings. ‘What they earn goes back into their families or their businesses, which benefits society.’ The minister says women’s rights remain ‘incredibly important’ but emphasizes that she must also cut 2.4 billion euros. ‘Painful choices must be made.’
King Willem-Alexander says he cannot comment on the development aid cuts since Klever’s plans are still being worked out. However, he says he is not worried about the future of Amref Health Africa. ‘Especially an organization like Amref is very strong through Amref Netherlands,’ he says during a press moment in the Dutch ambassador’s garden in Kenya. ‘They have their own organizations in various countries that raise funds for Amref here. And I am sure that Amref, with its reputation and knowledge, and the way it is rooted across the continent, will certainly find funds to continue its good projects.’
Embracing Independence and Sustainable Solutions
During a ‘business forum,’ a series of white tents and stands on a grassy field on the outskirts of Nairobi, Klever, along with the royal couple, visited various companies and organizations already active in Kenya. Among the companies are some social enterprises, still partially or fully funded by NGOs.
‘We know the world order is shifting,’ says Kennedy Omwaka, project leader of Waterstarters, a company that helps small entrepreneurs set up water points where locals can buy water. ‘We are currently fully funded by Amref Health Africa,’ he says, ‘but the goal is to become an independent company soon.’
More non-profits are transitioning from development aid to the business sector. Minister Klever also visited CarePay, a company working with the NGO PharmAccess, which focuses on improving access to healthcare. ‘Under previous ministers, the focus was more on the importance of solidarity to reach poor people,’ says PharmAccess chairperson Nicole Spieker. “But for our meeting with Minister Klever, we are specifically emphasizing the business side of our approach.”
CarePay has developed a platform that facilitates payments for health insurance, which, according to Spieker, is interesting for Dutch insurers and government healthcare institutions. Through that ‘transactional way of doing business,’ which is intended to largely replace development aid, project leader Omwaka sees opportunities for African countries. “The bitter truth is that people will die due to the budget cuts,” he says. But according to him, the transition also offers opportunities. “Kenyans must understand that water and healthcare are not free. We have been too dependent on Western NGOs and governments for too long. It’s time we stand on our own feet.”
| Sector | Details |
|---|---|
| Water Management | Focus on improving water storage, ecosystem conservation, and pollution reduction. |
| Sustainable Agriculture | Adoption of eco-friendly practices like rainwater harvesting and solar energy. |
| Floriculture | Kenya is a leading exporter of cut flowers, with Dutch-owned farms playing a key role. |
| Trade | The Netherlands is a significant trading partner for Kenya, with substantial exports and imports. |
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