This archive report was first published on 27 June 2020.
Kenya and the United States are set to start trade talks on July 7th, 2020, as announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The talks, which aim to sign a free trade agreement (FTA), will coincide with the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on July 1st, 2020.
President Kenyatta made the announcement during a virtual leaders forum on US-Africa trade convened by the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) at State House, Nairobi.
CCA is an American business association established in 1993 to promote business and investment between the US and Africa.
President Kenyatta also spoke about Kenya's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that the country's robust containment measures had helped prevent a higher number of infections.
However, he noted that the measures had also led to negative economic effects, particularly in the informal sector, tourism, and the hotel industry.
President Kenyatta emphasized the need for massive investment and trade to reverse the economic decline caused by the pandemic.
He also highlighted Kenya's efforts to promote digital technologies, including e-learning for schools and digital payments for vulnerable individuals.
On post-COVID-19 recovery, President Kenyatta stated that Kenya is prioritizing investment and trade as key drivers of the process.
He expressed Kenya's desire to conclude a Free Trade Agreement with the US ahead of the expiry of the AGOA arrangement in 2025.
President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana also addressed the forum, highlighting his country's efforts to minimize job losses through a 250 million USD COVID-19 stimulus package.
