Kenya, Congo to abolish visa restrictions to facilitate trade - President Ruto

Speaking on Saturday at the Palais du Peuple in Brazzaville during a media briefing alongside his host President Denis Sassou-N'Guesso, President Ruto said the two nations had signed comprehensive bilateral agreements aimed at expanding their economic welfare. 

He noted that the move will enhance integration and boost trade, adding that Kenya was working towards restoring direct flights between Nairobi and Brazzaville.

The 18 agreements include partnerships in trade and investment, energy, ICT, transport, security, education, tourism, culture, agriculture, and the blue economy, among others. 

President Ruto committed to fast-track the opening of a resident diplomatic mission in Brazzaville saying that a joint infrastructure development will significantly improve the region's connectivity and boost investment. 

He added that the two nations will continue cooperating under the AU and IGAD frameworks in a bid to restore peace and stability in the Horn of Africa and the Eastern DRC. 

"We emphasise the need to maintain peace, security and stability within the region as a prerequisite for development," he said. 

Kenya and Congo, he added, have also agreed to take common stands at the global levels on issues affecting the people of the two nations.

The Head of State consequently cited the need to reform the United Nations and other multilateral organisations to make them more representative, accountable and responsive to geopolitical realities. 

He said the two nations have also resolved to partner in transforming climate action into green, climate-positive growth. 

The President said the two countries are committed to leveraging the African Free Continental Trade Area to grow trade whose potential is yet to be exploited adding that they will also work together to confront food insecurity in the region.

"We have plenty of room to expand the scale, size and value of commercial activities between our nations," he maintained. 

"We can make steady progress towards food stability.”

Earlier, President Ruto presided over a business forum in Brazzaville that brought together Kenyan and Congolese investors where he assured them that the government would ensure a friendly atmosphere for their businesses.

 "We will establish a conducive environment where entrepreneurs can freely invest under the African Free Continental Trade Area framework," he told the meeting. 

On his part, President N'Guesso said Congo will play its part towards the realisation of the signed agreements noting that it was committed to enhancing infra-African trade. “We are going to implement this agreement for the benefit of the people,” he said.