Labor breakthrough: Russia may increase quotas for Kenyan workers
Russia can expand the organized recruitment of workers from Kenya. Moscow and Nairobi are discussing an increase in quotas and are preparing a separate agreement on labor migration, the Russian Embassy told "Izvestia". At the same time, Kenyan President William Ruto will come to Moscow for the upcoming Russia–Africa summit. Experts expect an increase in labor migration from the entire region due to the shortage of personnel in the Russian Federation and high unemployment on the continent. Many people have really been eyeing a career in Russia for a long time. Participants of the International Youth Festival in Yekaterinburg shared information about this with "Izvestia".
Russia and Kenya are preparing an agreement on labor migration
There is still a shortage of personnel in Russia. As Maxim Reshetnikov, the head of the Ministry of Economic Development, noted this summer, this is indicated by the extremely low unemployment rate of 2.2%. For example, in the summer, Russia had one of the highest rates — 18 offers per unemployed person, said Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova at the SPIEF. Kenyan workers could improve the situation. Nairobi is interested in better employment of its citizens abroad and is actively discussing this issue with Moscow.
"We are considering the possibility of increasing quotas for Kenyan citizens, which is in the interests of both sides: we have a need for labor in a number of areas, and Kenya is interested in organized employment of its citizens abroad," the Russian Embassy in Kenya told Izvestia.
In addition, the parties are preparing an intergovernmental agreement on labor migration, which was initiated by Nairobi. The Foreign Ministers of Russia and Kenya, Sergey Lavrov and Musalia Mudawadi, discussed this topic back in March, and now the parties have moved on to substantive work on the document.
Russia is striving to make this area as transparent as possible, the diplomats emphasize. The document should clearly define the rules for selecting employees, consolidate their labor rights and social guarantees. Kenyans can still work in Russia, but a separate agreement will make the recruitment process more understandable for both sides, the embassy said.
Kenyans can be in demand in IT, agriculture, industrial production, tourism and the hotel business, says Maya Nikolskaya, head of the "Africa in the Focus of Russian Interests" program at MGIMO. According to her, Kenya has a relatively high level of professional and higher education for the region. According to various ratings, Kenya is consistently among the top 10 countries in Africa. according to this indicator.
At the same time, the flow of workers from Africa to Russia will only grow in the near future, the expert believes. Youth unemployment remains high in many countries of the continent, while the Russian labor market needs new personnel. For example, in Kenya, unemployment in 2025 was about 5.4%, but among young people it was already 15.2%. At the same time, almost 84% of all employees work in the informal sector.
Labor migration is just one of the components that expand ties between Moscow and Nairobi. Kenya remains a key economic center of East Africa and an important transportation hub due to the ports of Mombasa and Lamu. To deepen cooperation, the parties will establish an intergovernmental commission.
"We expect to finalize the text and sign the document in the near future," the diplomatic mission said.
The creation of such a commission will simplify work on major projects, in particular, in the nuclear energy sector. Kenya is preparing to build its own nuclear power plant and is currently selecting potential project participants. At the same time, Russian agencies and companies have already been in contact with Nairobi on this issue.
The parties may make progress on all aspects in the coming weeks. On October 28-29, Moscow will host the third Russia–Africa Summit, which was confirmed by Kenyan President William Ruto.
How the Yekaterinburg festival attracted young people
At the International Youth Festival in Yekaterinburg, which brought together 10,000 people from 191 countries, many guests from Africa announced their intention to work in Russia. For example, Lazarus Ndango, a participant from Namibia, came to the country for the first time, but is already considering the possibility of realizing himself here.
— I really plan to work in Russia after I get my diploma in energy. It was worth coming to this festival. Here I learned a lot about Russia, its culture, programs and organizations," he told "Izvestia".
Osayogi Osazemen, a participant of the festival from Nigeria, is also thinking about the possibility of staying in the country. He still considers the language barrier to be his main obstacle.
— I would definitely like to stay here to live and work. I only hope to improve the Russian language, because now it is very bad for me," he said.
Kweku Walker from Ghana was also in Russia for the first time. The family was afraid to let him go, but after his arrival, the young man's attitude towards the Russian Federation changed.
— I have already thought about studying here and asked my friends from Ghana who study in Russia about this. I am considering this option. I would be happy to study and continue my professional career here," he said.
Educating Africans in Russian universities gives Moscow a longer-term effect, Maya Nikolskaya notes. Graduates get acquainted with our technologies, and after returning home they can apply this knowledge in joint projects and when working with Russian equipment. According to her, in this way, the Russian Federation simultaneously expands ties with African countries and strengthens the image of a reliable partner.
The influx of workers from Africa has not yet become massive, but the numbers are gradually growing. For example, in 2025, 626 Egyptian citizens entered for work, compared to 470 a year earlier. In Uganda, the figure increased from 61 to 278. So far, Russian companies hire Africans mainly on a point—by-point basis - for production, warehouses and agricultural enterprises.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
