CS Kagwe heads to South Africa for talks on trade barriers, agricultural cooperation

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Sen.Mutahi Kagwe is set to travel to South Africa next week for high-level discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and deepening economic cooperation between the two countries, with agriculture expected to take center stage.

The visit, scheduled for June 4, comes as Kenya seeks to expand market access for its agricultural products and address longstanding non-tariff barriers that have hindered the smooth movement of commodities between African countries.

During the engagement, Kenyan and South African officials are expected to hold talks focused on removing trade bottlenecks affecting agricultural exports and imports, a move that could unlock new opportunities for farmers, exporters and agribusiness investors in both countries.

A key outcome of the visit will be the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of agriculture, signaling a renewed commitment by the two nations to collaborate in areas such as agricultural trade, research, technology transfer, value addition, food security and investment.

The agreement is expected to pave the way for enhanced cooperation between the two of Africa’s leading economies, while supporting efforts under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to boost intra-African trade and reduce barriers that limit the growth of agricultural markets across the continent.

For Kenya, the discussions are particularly significant as the government continues to push for increased exports, greater value addition and improved access to regional and international markets for locally produced agricultural commodities.

The visit underscores Nairobi's broader strategy of leveraging diplomacy and trade partnerships to create new opportunities for farmers while positioning agriculture as a key driver of economic growth and job creation.

CS Kagwe will be part of the Kenyan delegation that will accompany President William Ruto on his upcoming State visit.