Denmark has cooperated with Kenya since the country's independence in 1963, and Danish involvement has now expanded to the maritime area.
In 2021, the Danish and Kenyan governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), where the parties agreed to cooperate in a number of areas, including maritime education and training, maritime security, protection of the marine environment, and climate change mitigation.
Kenya plays an important and active role as a regional transport corridor and economic center in East Africa and the Horn of Africa. The growth potential is great, and Danish ships load and unload raw materials, oil and food in Kenya's primary port, Mombasa, more than 200 times a year. Therefore, development of the transport chains from sea to land is a crucial prerequisite for supporting economic development in Kenya.
In January 2025, Denmark and Kenya officially launched phase 1 of a maritime strategic sector cooperation, which is set to last until 2027. The primary focus is on strengthening the training of seafarers, fishermen, and pilots, as well as improving safety in ports and for seafarers, including the implementation of international regulations. An additional focus area is the reduction of CO2 emissions and making shipping greener.