Kenya and Guinea-Bissau have agreed to implement a wide range of policies to promote trade between the two countries.
President William Ruto noted that although the current volume of trade between the two countries is low, there is potential for improvement.
He cited the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, which aims to strengthen trade, as an example.
Ruto said Kenya and Guinea-Bissau are keen to implement the Memorandum of Understanding establishing the Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) signed in 2022.
He further pointed out that stronger collaboration between the private sectors of the two countries would significantly increase trade volumes.
Ruto made the remarks Friday at a press conference following bilateral talks with Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoko Embalo.
Ruto, who is on an official visit to Guinea-Bissau, was awarded Guinea-Bissau’s highest decoration by President Embaro at the presidential palace.
He said the JCC will promote cooperation in areas of mutual benefit such as security, agriculture and livestock, fisheries and blue economy, environment and forestry.
Ruto promised to start direct flights between the two countries.
He noted that this would facilitate trade and strengthen cooperation between the peoples.
On the blue economy, he said Kenya and Guinea-Bissau will cooperate on sustainable management of fisheries, protection of marine biodiversity and innovative strategies to combat marine pollution.
He said he would work with Embalo to push for reform of the African Union.
He also said it was important to centralize the position of the Pan-African Parliament as the representative of the people to oversee the executive branch and ensure accountability within the organization.
βIt would also be necessary to operate the African Court of Justice as a means of creating institutions to make the AU fit for purpose,β he added.
He thanked the President of Guinea-Bissau for accepting to support Kenya’s candidacy for the AUC Presidency from 2025 to 2028.
βKenyaβs candidacy is based on the role we play in strengthening and sustaining the pan-African agenda. We look forward to working with all member states in the African Unionβs efforts to achieve Agenda 2063. I’m thinking about it,” he said.