Kenya and the European Union have signed a long-negotiated trade agreement to increase the flow of goods between the two markets, as Brussels pursues stronger economic ties with Africa.
The agreement signed this Monday is the first broad trade deal between the EU and an African nation since 2016 and follows a spending spree by China on lavish infrastructure projects across the continent.
"Although today represents a moment of monumental promise, it is also the beginning of a historic partnership for historic transformation," Kenyan President William Ruto said at a ceremony attended by European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen in Kenya's capital Nairobi.
"The core of this arrangement is to put real money into the pockets of ordinary people," said Ruto.
EU chief von der Leyen said the partnership was a "win-win situation on both sides" and called on other East African nations to join the pact, which came after years of negotiations that concluded in June.
"We are deepening trade ties and building up our economic resilience," she said.
"We are opening a new chapter in our very strong relationship and now our effort should be focused on implementation," von der Leyen added.
The EU deeply values its partnership with Kenya, dear @WilliamsRuto
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 18, 2023
We are strengthening it with the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement ↓ https://t.co/x7uQ3Ei3gE
Over €3 billion in bilateral trade
Both the Kenyan and the European parliaments must ratify the deal before it comes into force.
The European Union said that the deal was "the most ambitious economic partnership" it had with a developing country.
It includes commitments to sustainable development in areas such as labour rights and environmental protection.
"A dedicated chapter has been included on economic and development cooperation, aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the Kenyan economy," the EU said.
The 27-nation bloc accounts for more than 20 percent of Kenya's overall exports, according to government data, mainly agricultural products, including vegetables, fruits and the country's famous tea and coffee.
Total two-way trade between the markets hit €3.3 billion in 2022, up 27 percent since 2018, according to EU figures.
The deal — the first with a developing country in which the EU's new approach to trade and sustainable development is reflected — will further spur the EU investment to Kenya besides guaranteeing higher earnings for our products. pic.twitter.com/UykGMcm4Py
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) December 18, 2023
'Door wide open' for EAC
The EU has taken steps to counter China's Belt and Road programme, announcing in February it would increase investments in Kenya by hundreds of millions of dollars through its own Global Gateway initiative.
The Kenya deal is the culmination of trade talks between the EU and the regional East African Community that started roughly a decade ago.
The East African economic powerhouse signed and ratified an initial trade agreement with the EU in 2016 alongside the EAC but it fell through after some countries failed to greenlight the pact, with Kenya eventually pursuing its own deal.
"This agreement leaves the door wide open for our EAC partners to join so that together as a region we can benefit," Ruto said.
(With wires)
