South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, alongside his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto/PCSSouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, June 4, 2026, host President William Ruto for a State Visit at the Union Buildings in Tshwane.
According to a statement by the South African Presidency, the visit is a high-level diplomatic engagement aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
Ruto will be in South Africa for a three-day State Visit running from Wednesday, June 3 to Friday, June 5, 2026, following an invitation from President Ramaphosa.
“South Africa and Kenya enjoy long-standing mutually
beneficial and cordial relations that were re-established in 1994. South Africa
values Kenya as a strategic partner in the East African region and the
continent,” the statement said.
The State Visit will officially commence with a ceremonial welcome at the Union Buildings at 09:30 am, where media representatives are expected to arrive by 07:00 am for coverage.
The welcome ceremony will be followed by official bilateral talks between President Ramaphosa and President Ruto at 10:30 am.
The discussions are expected to focus on strengthening cooperation in key areas, including trade, investment, regional integration, peace and security, as well as broader continental development priorities.
At 12:30 pm, the two leaders will oversee the signing of the Memoranda of Agreement.
A joint media briefing will follow, where they are expected to update the public on the outcomes of their discussions and the new areas of cooperation agreed upon.
A key highlight of the visit will be the South Africa–Kenya Business Forum scheduled for 5:00 pm at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, Johannesburg.
The forum is expected to bring together government officials and private sector stakeholders from both countries.
“The Business Forum will focus on deepening economic cooperation, facilitating business partnership and exploring strategies for unlocking the full potential of trade and investment between the two countries in mutually beneficial strategic sectors,” the statement added.
South Africa and Kenya play influential roles in their respective regional blocs — the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC), as well as at the continental level through the African Union.
The upcoming State Visit is expected to provide a platform for advancing these objectives, while also reinforcing political cooperation on regional and international issues.
Members of the media interested in covering the State Visit have been requested to register in advance through the official link provided by the South African Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).
The registration deadline has been set for Monday, June 1, 2026, at 12:00 noon.
President Ramaphosa undertook a two-day State Visit in Kenya back in November 2022, during which he met President William Ruto at State House in Nairobi to strengthen bilateral ties.
The visit culminated in a landmark agreement allowing Kenyans with ordinary passports visa-free travel to South Africa for up to 90 days per calendar year.
