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Kenya, Nigeria pledge to enhance economic, trade ties

Xinhua, January 29, 2016 Adjust font size:

Kenyan and Nigerian governments have pledged to work together to promote both trade and economic ties.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said President Buhari's visit to Kenya has provided an opportunity to maintain the momentum in the development of bilateral relations that have registered significant growth.

He said the two countries are forging closer ties creating room for increased partnership between the business communities of Kenya and Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, President Buhari lauded the deepening relations between Kenya and Nigeria.

"For example, we have Nigerian banks operating in Kenya while Kenya Airways is connecting many Nigerians to West Africa and indeed the world," he said.

Buhari added that Nigerian farmers are coming to Kenya to learn from successful Kenyan farmers while many upcoming Kenyan oil and gas businessmen are partnering with Nigerian oil companies.

"We have Nigerians drinking Kenyan coffee in their homes and offices while many Kenyans are listening to Nigerian Music and watching Nollywood movies," Buhari observed.

The Nigerian leader said these developments point to a real integration on the continent beyond the formal diplomatic levels, adding that integration promotes movement of people and goods boosting intra-Africa trade and creating millions of jobs.

"It is on this note that I hope our two countries will continue building on the strong foundation already laid so far by further enhancing trade and economic ties," President Buhari said.

The two leaders said they will join hands in addressing challenges facing Nigeria and Kenya in rooting out corruption, terrorism and radicalization, which they termed as "obstacles to development".

Kenyatta noted that Kenya and Nigeria were grappling with the problems of terrorism, radicalization of the youth and violent extremism, saying the two countries will work together to end these scourges.

President Kenyatta and President Buhari agreed that Kenya and Nigeria should ensure that the Memoranda of Understanding and bilateral agreements signed are implemented in earnest. Enditem