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President William Ruto announced the signing of seven agreements between Kenya and Ghana, aimed at bolstering bilateral ties between the two nations. These Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), some of which were inked by business associations from both countries, are geared towards fostering trade and investment.
President Ruto emphasized that these agreements seek to broaden opportunities for businesses, the private sector, and the citizens of both nations. Among the areas covered by the MoUs are cooperation in science and technology, tourism, education, governance, and defense.
Speaking at a press conference held at President Nana Akufo-Addo’s office during his State Visit to Ghana, President Ruto hailed the significance of these agreements in advancing the longstanding and impactful diplomatic relations between the two countries.
He lauded Ghana’s decision to remove visa requirements for all Africans by the year’s end, highlighting its alignment with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to promote economic growth, job creation, and poverty eradication.
President Ruto noted Kenya’s earlier move to eliminate visa requirements for visitors from all countries in January, citing its positive impact on trade, investment, and tourism between Kenya and Ghana.
Both leaders expressed their commitment to leveraging the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA to further enhance trade relations between their countries. President Ruto highlighted successful trade ventures between Kenya and Ghana, including the export of Kenyan tea and Chloride Exide batteries to Ghana, as well as the operation of Little Cab, a Kenyan taxi-hailing service, in Ghana.
In addition to enhancing economic ties, the two nations affirmed their determination to collaborate in addressing internal conflicts, terrorism, and violent extremism to safeguard regional peace and stability.
President Ruto underscored the importance of African unity in tackling pressing issues such as climate change, emphasizing the outcomes of the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi as a testament to the continent’s commitment to global climate action.
Furthermore, the leaders discussed institutional reforms within the African Union, aiming to make the organization more effective in implementing Agenda 2063. This includes restructuring AU organs, delineating responsibilities between AU Commission Organs, Specialized Agencies, and Regional Economic Communities, and streamlining the agenda of the Pan-African Parliament.
President Akufo-Addo pledged support for Kenya’s candidature for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission 2025-2028, while President Ruto expressed Kenya’s backing for Ms. Shirley Botchwey’s candidacy for Commonwealth Secretary-General for the period 2024-2029.
Addressing the trade aspect, Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade, and Industry, Hon. CS Rebecca Miano EGH highlighted the low intra-African trade volume compared to other regions and emphasized the efforts being made to boost trade integration through initiatives like the AfCFTA.