This archive report was first published on 18 June 2020.
On June 18, 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta addressed concerns that the trade talks between Kenya and the United States would undermine the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Speaking at State House, Nairobi, during a webinar hosted by the Atlantic Council, President Kenyatta emphasized that the trade deal would instead serve as a reference point for other African nations to negotiate bilateral arrangements within the AfCFTA framework.
“Kenya will be the first under the new AfCTA, so we are going to be trailblazers in this, and we hope that others will also follow through,” President Kenyatta said.
The President also highlighted the potential of the trade deal to reposition Kenya as a gateway for American investments into Africa, stating that an FTA between the US and Kenya would ultimately allow Americans to invest in Kenya and the region.
President Kenyatta further emphasized that the trade negotiations between Kenya and the US are based on a win-win arrangement that will benefit both countries.
During the webinar, the President also touched on various other issues, including Africa’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kenya’s bid to join the UN Security Council, and the revitalization of the East African Community.
