The Government of Kenya and the Government of Serbia have agreed to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate exchange programs aimed at fostering talent development, talent scouting, and socio-economic growth in youth affairs, the creative economy, and sports.
The agreement was reached during high-level bilateral talks between Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports, Salim Mvurya, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Serbia to Kenya, Danijela Cubrilo, in an engagement which underscored the mutual benefits both nations stand to gain by leveraging each other’s strengths, particularly in the sports and creative sectors.
Speaking during the meeting, CS Mvurya emphasized Kenya’s eagerness to expand cooperation in sports, particularly through joint training programs, talent scouting, and friendly competitions which will expand sporting collaboration.
“We want to explore opportunities for twinning sporting activities such as football, basketball, volleyball, and watersports, allowing Serbian athletes to experience high-altitude training and friendly matches in Kenya, and vice versa,” stated Mvurya.
The CS reiterated that Kenya, renowned for its dominance in long-distance running, presents a unique training environment that Serbian athletes could benefit from, particularly through exposure to high-altitude conditions.
Conversely, he noted that Serbia’s expertise in sports such as basketball and football could offer valuable training opportunities for Kenyan athletes.
Further, Mvurya emphasized that the partnership will go beyond sports as it also focuses on the creative economy which is a rapidly growing sector in both nations.
The CS highlighted the importance of formalizing collaborations through structured agreements, ensuring long-term benefits for young creatives in Kenya and Serbia.
“We want to expose the youth to the successful opportunities realized through the Serbia Creates Innovative Program,” he asserted, referencing Serbia’s flagship initiative that promotes innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
CS Mvurya further reemphasized that the initiative aligns with Kenya’s efforts to harness the creative industry as a key driver of economic growth and youth empowerment as enshrined in the government of Kenya’s Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), while noting that the exchange of ideas, skills, and market opportunities between Kenyan and Serbian creatives is expected to enhance the global competitiveness of young talent from both countries.
Moreover, the CS affirmed that the two nations will leverage their strong bilateral relations to accelerate the implementation of agreements that will drive the success of these collaborative programs.
“The partnerships we are building today will create new pathways for our youth to excel, whether in sports, arts, or entrepreneurship as we look forward to fast-tracking these discussions into actionable programs that will have a lasting impact,” he affirmed.
On her part, Ambassador Cubrilo reaffirmed Serbia’s dedication to strengthening cooperation with Kenya, recognizing the East African nation’s impressive track record in talent development.
“We are eager to foster this cooperation. In sports, Kenyans are known for their drive to excel in championships, an attribute that aligns with Serbian athletes, therefore, creative economy is a priority for both our countries, and we can achieve more through shared experiences,” stressed Ambassador Cubrilo.
Her remarks reflect Serbia’s interest in expanding cultural and economic ties with Kenya, with a particular focus on youth empowerment through structured exchange programs.
She noted that the move to formalize cooperation through MoUs marks a significant step toward a more structured and impactful engagement between Kenya and Serbia.
“With both governments committed to investing in youth development, the anticipated programs are expected to unlock new opportunities, fostering a vibrant exchange of talent and innovation between the two nations,” Cubrilo reiterated.
By Clinton Ng’iela
