Towards Strengthened Regional Integration

Several agreements were signed on May 31, 2025, in Mayotte, during a visit by an economic delegation from Kenya.

This meeting was attended by Thani Mohamed-Soilihi, Minister Delegate for Francophonie and International Partnerships, and Korir Sing’Oei, Kenyan Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

This visit is a continuation of the DARAJA agreement—a Swahili term meaning “bridge”—signed in November 2024 in Nairobi between the Mayotte Development and Innovation Agency (ADIM) and the Kenya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI). The initiative aims to build an economic, human, and strategic bridge between the two Indian Ocean territories.

The program for this visit included a microlight flight over the island to identify tourism opportunities, a tour of the first regional data center in Mamoudzou, and an immersion into two Ekwali Group farms to explore avenues for cooperation in the agri-food sector.

Several agreements have been established in key areas such as training, digital technology, services, and food safety. A prefectural decree facilitating the importation of foodstuffs while ensuring their health compliance has been officially implemented. All of these measures are part of a strategy to reduce costs for Mayotte consumers.

On the Kenyan side, the geographical proximity to Mayotte—only a 2.5-hour flight away—and the complementary expertise (agriculture, technology, food) are major assets for building a lasting partnership. The private sector, represented by the Mayotte MEDEF (French employers’ association for the economy), welcomes these advances. A dynamic of economic reconstruction is taking shape, particularly after the heavy damage caused by Cyclone Chido.