Uhuru, Nyusi push for more trade between Kenya and Mozambique

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Mozambican counterpart Filipe Nyusi have challenged the private sector to exploit what they term as a huge trade potential between the two countries.

President Kenyatta and his guest, who is on a State Visit, spoke when they addressed a Kenya-Mozambique business forum held at the Villa Rosa Kempinski Hotel in Nairobi.

President Kenyatta said trade between the two nations has been growing but at a slow pace despite the existing huge potential for growth.

In 2017, Kenya’s imports from Mozambique were worth 31 million US dollars while exports were valued at 12 million US dollars.

He said the two nations have so far largely traded in manufactured goods, an encouraging sign that Africa’s industrial sector is picking up.

“Kenya and Mozambique are similar because they  both work with the private sector,” said President Kenyatta as he encouraged the business community to take advantage of the bilateral agreements and favourable trade policies of the two countries.

Earlier on Wednesday, the two Presidents witnessed the signing of a deal that abolishes the need for visas for citizens of Kenya and Mozambique to travel between the two nations.

President Kenyatta challenged Kenya’s private sector to diversify its exports and to also tap into new investment opportunities that Mozambique offers including business openings  in mining, oil and gas sectors.

The President said Kenyan cement companies have now started importing coal from Mozambique, which also has vast deposits of natural gas, indicating that trade between the two countries is growing.

He also invited companies and traders from Mozambique to invest in Kenya’s expanding economy which is open, safe and friendly for business.

The two leaders said improvement in infrastructure will boost Intra-Africa trade which is still very low.

President Kenyatta said he will work closely with President Nyusi for the successful implementation of all agreements signed between the two nations.

On his part, President Nyusi said Kenya and Mozambique have strong bonds because they share a history stretching back to more than a millennium and that the people of the two nations are related.

President Nyusi urged the private sector in both nations to spearhead the expansion of economic partnerships between the two nations especially in sectors such as agriculture, agribusiness, minerals and tourism among others.

“We should enhance partnership between our private sectors,” said President Nyusi, who noted that his country can share its experience in fishing with Kenya.

He said Mozambique will participate in the upcoming Blue Economy Conference to be held in Nairobi from Monday next week. President Nyusi will lead the Mozambique delegation at the conference where 11 Heads of State and 8,000 delegates are expected to attend.

The Kenya-Mozambique business forum was also attended by Deputy President William Ruto and Cabinet Secretary for Trade and Industry Peter Munya among other Government officials.

President Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta  later hosted a State Banquet in honour of President Filipe and the Mozambican First Lady Isaura Nyusi at State House, Nairobi.

Speaking during the Banquet, President Kenyatta said the cultural and language similarities that Kenya and Mozambique share make it easier for its people to interact.

“We are one people bound by a common history, one culture and love for one Africa, ” said President Kenyatta.

He said the similarities of culture, language and people is a testament to the rich heritage.

The similarities in language was demonstrated by President Nyusi who, during his speeches at various functions, would sometimes switch to speak in  perfect Swahili better than many Kenyans can manage.

President Kenyatta said that Kenya and Mozambique will, beside there economic partnership,  work together in fighting terrorism and other forms of organised crimes.

On his part, President Nyusi said he was impressed by the democratic space in Kenya and encouraged President Kenyatta to continue fostering the separation of powers which is a cornerstone for democracy.

He also said that Mozambicans will always remain grateful for the role Kenya played in bringing the Mozambique civil war to an end.

“Kenya, to Mozambique, is not just another country. It is part of  our history,” said President Nyusi.

He praised Kenya as a land of champions including the first African Woman Nobel Laureate Prof Wangari Maathai and legendary athletes like Kipchoge Keino.

Deputy President William Ruto  and Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga were among the dignitaries who attended the dinner at State House.

President Nyusi is on Thursday scheduled to visit Mombasa and  Kwale Counties. In Kwale, he is expected to interact with members of the Makonde people, who were officially given legal recognition as Kenya’s 43rd ethnic group by President Kenyatta last year.

The Makonde came to Kenya from Mozambique in the 1950s.