In a significant step to address labor shortages, Germany and Kenya signed an agreement on Friday aimed at facilitating the recruitment of skilled Kenyan workers to fill crucial gaps in the German labor market. The deal, formalized in Berlin during a meeting between Kenyan President William Ruto and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, seeks to bolster cooperation between the two nations on migration issues.
Chancellor Scholz emphasized the urgency of this agreement, noting that Germany is already grappling with a growing need for skilled labor. “This can help us compensate for a shortage of skilled workers,” Scholz said during a press conference. He acknowledged that the challenge of labor shortages, driven by an aging workforce, would persist for years to come.
Experts estimate that Germany requires around 400,000 skilled immigrants annually to sustain its economy, making this partnership with Kenya particularly vital. Scholz highlighted the dual benefits of the agreement, which also includes provisions for the streamlined repatriation of Kenyans who do not have legal residency in Germany.
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The Kenyan President expressed optimism about the deal, stressing that it benefits both countries. “This agreement brings together the potential of young, educated Kenyans and German technology and resources,” Ruto said. He dismissed concerns that the outflow of skilled workers could harm Kenya’s development, pointing to the nation’s large, youthful population, with a median age of 20. According to Ruto, there are enough young people to support the development of both Kenya and Germany.
Scholz also praised Kenya’s large pool of IT specialists, emphasizing the potential for them to strengthen Germany’s tech sector. The agreement with Kenya follows similar deals Germany has inked with countries like India, Georgia, and Morocco. Scholz is set to sign another agreement with Uzbekistan over the weekend during his visit there.
The signing ceremony took place at the German chancellery, with German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi signing the document in the presence of Scholz and Ruto.
This agreement comes as Germany’s coalition government faces political pressure from the far-right, anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which has seen gains in recent state elections. Despite this, the German government continues to prioritize international partnerships to address labor market challenges.
