Simone Knapp

Austrian Ambassador to 🇰🇪 & 🇹🇿 🇷🇼 🇧🇮 🇸🇴 🇸🇨 🇲🇬 🇰🇲 🇨🇩 @AustriainET @MFA_Austria Opinions my own.

[Adarsh Swaika @AdarshSwaika1]

Pleasure to receive the new Austrian Ambassador to Kenya @simoneknapp. Exchanged views on bilateral and multilateral issues of interest. Underscored the strong bilateral partnership between 🇮🇳 and 🇦🇹, with 🇦🇹 Foreign Minister currently in 🇮🇳 on a bilateral visit.

@IndiainAustria

[Kenya Embassy/Permanent Mission Vienna @KenyaEmbVienna]

Austria is keen to deepen its engagement with Africa on three fronts: Trade, Energy, and Human Capital Development.

At the 2026 Africa Day conference, this year's theme, “Africa Means Business,” could not have been more fitting.

The conversations were not just about opportunities, but about how to translate shared ambitions into investments, stronger trade ties, and impactful partnerships

At the Kenya stand, we were right at the heart of these conversations, engaging with investors, traders, entrepreneurs, and friends of Kenya to explore what our country has to offer. And, of course, what better way to spark such great conversations than over a cup of world-class Kenyan coffee? ☕

From local value addition and beneficiation to the creative economy, green energy, ICT, and the immense opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Kenya is positioning itself as a strategic partner and gateway to Africa.

The future of Kenya-Austria relations has never looked brighter. The interest is real, the opportunities are immense, and the momentum is building.

Africa means business. Kenya means business. And Kenya is ready for business!

[Simone Knapp @simoneknapp]

@AshaMohammed_ Wonderful! Congratulations Dr Asha!

[Mamadou Dian Balde @mamadou_dbalde]

A warm welcome to Ambassador Simone Knapp of #Austria to the region. A productive discussion on developments in Horn of Africa & wider region she covers; and their impact on the lives of refugees and people UNHCR serves. Looking forward to deepening our long-standing partnership.

[William Samoei Ruto, PhD @WilliamsRuto]

Met the Executive Director of UNODC and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, @Monica_Juma_, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

We agreed to establish a team bringing together the Ministry of Interior, the Office of the Attorney-General, the Ministry of Health and other relevant agencies to develop a strategy on cybercrime, maritime crime, border control and drug abuse.

We will deepen cooperation with UNODC on training and strengthening law enforcement capacity, while exploring collaboration on standards for the treatment of drug abuse.

We will also advance the necessary internal processes on the cybercrime convention, including submitting the matter to Parliament in a timely manner.

[William Samoei Ruto, PhD @WilliamsRuto]

Kenya and Austria enjoy long-standing bilateral relations founded on shared interests and mutual respect.

We are deepening cooperation in trade and investment to expand opportunities for the people of both countries. Our structured bilateral labour agreement is also opening new pathways for our young people.

We are also strengthening cooperation in Artificial Intelligence, including its governance, to harness emerging opportunities responsibly.

At the multilateral level, we are working together to advance reforms of the United Nations to make it fit for purpose, and of the international financial architecture to make it more inclusive and responsive to the needs of all nations.

Held talks with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

[Simone Knapp @simoneknapp]

@RwandaInKenya @ErnestRwamucyo @RwandaMFA Thank you @ErnestRwamucyo for the welcome and fruitful exchange fostering our countries bilateral relations 🇦🇹🇷🇼

[Rwanda In Kenya @RwandaInKenya]

Today, High Commissioner @ErnestRwamucyo received a courtesy call from @simoneknapp, Ambassador-designate of Austria to Rwanda with residence in Kenya.

Discussions centered on strengthening Rwanda-Austria relations in areas of mutual interest.

[Hon. Aden Duale, EGH @HonAdenDuale]

On the sidelines of the 70th Session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference in Vienna, Austria, I held a bilateral meeting with Austrian Minister for Health Ms Korinna Schumann, to advance Kenya–Austria cooperation in maternal and neonatal healthcare.

Our discussions focused on accelerating the financing agreement for the second phase of the 'Mother and Child – Our Future' project, building on the gains made during the first phase.

Under the €6.4 million (KSh900 million) agreement signed in the 2018/2019 financial year, Austria supported Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) with specialised medical equipment and staff training, strengthening paediatric emergency and intensive care, surgical theatres and maternity critical care services.

With KNH continuing to receive a high number of complex maternal and neonatal referrals, we emphasised the need to sustain and expand this support to ease pressure on infrastructure, reduce waiting times and strengthen the hospital's capacity as a regional centre of excellence for specialised care.

I was joined in the meeting by H.E Amb. Edwin Afande (Ambassador, Embassy of Kenya/ Permanent Mission to the UN, Vienna), PS Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak (Science, Research and Innovation), Justus Wabuyabo (CEO Nuclear Power Energy Agency) and Dr.Nashat Fadhloon Noor (Director, Cancer prevention and Control - NCI).

[Simone Knapp @simoneknapp]

@EUinEthiopia Melkam addis amet in Ethiopia!

[Simone Knapp @simoneknapp]

I had the honour to present my credentials as Austrian Ambassador to Kenya yesterday to President @WilliamsRuto
Looking forward to further strengthening our excellent bilateral relations 🇦🇹 🇰🇪

[William Samoei Ruto, PhD @WilliamsRuto]

At State House, Nairobi, for the presentation of credentials by the newly-appointed envoys to Kenya.

They are Jirusaya Birananda (Thailand), Jaoa Alfredo Fo Anjos (Brazil), Ibrahim Danlami (Nigeria), Nicholas Manolis (Cyprus) and Tom Neijens (Belgium).

Others are Simone Knapp (Austria), Andreas Peschke (European Union), Simon Juach Deng Juach (South Sudan) and Wadid Benaabou (France).

[Simone Knapp @simoneknapp]

Thank you for the warm welcome in Nairobi! Asante Kenya!

[H.E Amb. Selma Malika Haddadi @DCP_Haddadi]

Pleased to receive H.E. Dr. @simoneknapp, Ambassador of Austria to Ethiopia @AustriainET and Permanent Representative to the @_AfricanUnion , who paid a farewell visit after the completion of her tour of duty.

Our discussions focused on strengthening @_AfricanUnion –Austria relations and reaffirming our shared commitment to advancing cooperation in support of the aspirations of #Agenda2063.

I commended Vienna's role as a leading global diplomatic hub that advances multilateral dialogue, international cooperation, peace and economic development , and expressed my appreciation to H.E. Dr. @simoneknapp for her active support of the @_AfricanUnion, particularly in fostering constructive engagement with the AU Partners Group.

At the conclusion of our meeting, I conveyed my sincere best wishes to H.E. the Ambassador for every success in her future endeavors as she concludes her diplomatic mission.

#AUEU #AfricanUnion #Agenda2063 #Austria

[Ethiopian News Agency @EthiopianNewsA]

President Taye Atske Selassie bade farewell to Austrian Ambassador Simone Knapp and Czech Ambassador Miroslav Kosek upon the completion of their diplomatic missions in Ethiopia. https://t.co/3NE48wO9x2

[The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia 🇪🇹 @MFAEthiopia]

Director General for European and American Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Ambassador Meles Alem, held talks with Ambassador Francesca Di Mauro, Deputy Managing Director for Africa at the European Union in Brussels.

During the meeting, Ambassador Meles underscored Ethiopia's strong commitment to its longstanding partnership with the European Union. He underlined Ethiopia's keenness to further strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Ambassador Francesca Di Mauro, on her part, described Ethiopia as an important partner of the European Union and a key regional actor. She reiterated the EU's interest in strengthening its collaboration with Ethiopia and working closely with the country to advance shared priorities.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest and reaffirmed their commitment to continued dialogue and cooperation.

[Austrian Embassy Addis Ababa @AustriainET]

2/2 We once again express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Tibebu Gashu Derseh for his outstanding service as Legal Counsel over the past two decades and for the excellent cooperation throughout these years.

[Austrian Embassy Addis Ababa @AustriainET]

1/2 Yesterday, on 15 July 2026, Ambassador Dr. Simone Knapp awarded Dr. Tibebu Gashu Derseh, Legal Counsel to the Austrian Embassy, the Silver Medal of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria in recognition of his more than 20 years of dedicated service.

[Abdifetah Rabi @AbdifetahRabi]

It was an esteemed privilege to participate in the Austria–Ethiopia Cooperation Meeting, convened under the auspices of the Austrian Embassy in Addis Ababa.

This distinguished forum, conducted under the theme “Austria’s Africa Strategy in Practice: Universities, Connector Talents and Industry as Bridges for Long-Term Partnership”, assembled senior representatives from the Ethiopian Ministry of Education, the Austrian Embassy, the Technical University of Leoben, University of Kabridahar (UoK), VFS Education Services, and prominent public- and private-sector stakeholders. The deliberations underscored Austria’s steadfast commitment to Ethiopia, evidenced through rigorously quality-assured academic mobility, collaborative scientific inquiry, and the advancement of sustainable university–industry linkages.

It was profoundly edifying to observe the convergent vision for establishing durable bridges between the two nations across the domains of education, research, and socioeconomic development.
Of particular significance is the forthcoming official signing, scheduled for tomorrow, of a Memorandum of Understanding between University of Kabridahar (UoK) and the Technical University of Leoben. This seminal partnership will encompass comprehensive collaboration, with a pronounced emphasis on the petroleum and energy sectors. The agreement is poised to catalyze joint research endeavors, capacity-building initiatives, reciprocal student and faculty exchanges, curriculum co-development, and innovation in sustainable energy solutions—thereby aligning harmoniously with Austria’s Africa Strategy and Ethiopia’s national development priorities.
This MoU constitutes a tangible and historic milestone in the broader Austria–Africa strategic partnership deliberated during today’s proceedings.

It is with considerable satisfaction that one notes University of Kabridahar’s active and integral engagement within this expanding cooperative framework alongside its Austrian counterparts.

Sincere appreciation is extended to Her Excellency Dr. Simone Knapp, Ambassador of Austria to Ethiopia; His Excellency Professor Berhanu Nega, Minister of Education of Ethiopia; His Excellency Ato Kora Tushune, State Minister of Education of Ethiopia; Professor Thomas Prohaska, Vice Rector of the Technical University of Leoben; and all distinguished speakers for their invaluable contributions.

We anticipate with optimism the official MoU signing ceremony tomorrow and the multitude of productive outcomes that will accrue to the enduring mutual benefit of both nations.