Two of the east African countries, Kenya and Djibouti on Sunday announced that they will push for a visa-free regime to spur trade.
The two countries will also exploit and further their existing relations to grow investments.
This arrangement was reached when Kenyan President William Ruto met his counterpart Ismaïl Omar Guelleh at the Palais Présidentiel in Djibouti. The two leaders agreed to establish the Kenya-Djibouti business council that will drive commerce between their countries.
President Ruto confirmed that Djibouti people visiting Kenya will not be required to have visas.
“This is part of our contribution to easing the movement of people, goods and services in Africa,” he explained.
Ruto also revealed that Kenya and Djibouti will build synergy on tourism and hospitality to boost their earnings. He observed that the development will be underpinned by the resumption of air transport between Nairobi and Djibouti, adding that the strengthening of ties between Kenya and Djibouti will also inspire stability in the region.
“Making the region – especially the Horn of Africa – stable is our foremost assignment,” he emphasized.
On his part, President Guelleh reiterated that with peace, countries can make strides and attain the anticipated transformation in Africa.
“We can only develop our world when we are secure,” insisted the Djibouti President.
Meanwhile, President Ruto has asked leaders to step forward and formulate effective solutions to unemployment, poverty and inequality facing Africa. He said it is time Africa’s aspirations were put at the centre of the world’s interests.
The Kenan leader stressed that it is time Africa’s unity was deepened and its voice made vocal and clear for it to grow.
“That is why we must integrate and push for free trade that will create more jobs and incomes,” he said.
He further maintained that Africa cannot afford to continue blaming its past for its failures and called for a reformed and streamlined African Union “that will elevate, give our continent a new lease of life.”
Furthermore, Ruto noted that the operationalization of a Pan-African Parliament will further “help Africa meet the challenges of our time”.
