This archive report was first published on 1 July 2019.
On July 1, 2019, Kenya and South Sudan reached a deal to deepen their trade ties, marking a significant step in strengthening economic cooperation between the two East African nations.
At a joint press conference at State House, Nairobi, President Uhuru Kenyatta and his visiting counterpart, President Salva Kiir, announced several agreements aimed at boosting trade and border cooperation.
One of the key agreements is the allocation of land for a dry port to South Sudan at the Naivasha Special Economic Zone and for a logistics hub near the new Lamu Port.
Kenya has also agreed to hold a trade expo in Juba in November, which will not only showcase Kenyan products but also expose South Sudan's products to Kenyan business people.
The two leaders also agreed to set up a joint border commission for the management of the common border between the two countries.
President Kenyatta assured South Sudan that Kenya is fast-tracking the completion of the LAPSSET projects, including transnational highways, an oil pipeline, and the Lamu Port, to link the two countries.
He also announced that the first berth of the Lamu Port will be ready in August, while Berths 2 and 3 are expected to be completed by the end of 2020.
President Kiir expressed his gratitude to President Kenyatta for Kenya's commitment to supporting the implementation of the peace accord in South Sudan.
