This archive report was first published on 6 January 2022.
On January 6, 2022, Kenya and China signed six trade agreements, marking a significant step towards strengthening their trade ties and reducing trade imbalances.
During the bilateral talks, Kenyan Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo and Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi expressed optimism that the agreements would increase Kenya's exports to China and improve the economy of its people.
"The six trade agreements signed on Thursday between Kenya and China will improve trade and deepen relations and collaboration between our two countries," said Ms Omamo.
Ms Omamo added that Kenya seeks to increase agricultural exports to China to address trade imbalance between the two countries.
The two countries have agreed to collaborate on Information Communication and Technology (ICT) to boost digital economy in Kenya, continue in the development of regional transport for economic hub on Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and creating market of Kenyan agricultural products.
China has also refuted claims that it is lending money to Africa to trap it with debts, with Mr Wang saying that those spreading false information want to destroy its relations with African countries to their benefit.
"This so-called debt trap is not a fact, it is speculation being played out by some with ulterior motives. This is a narrative trap created by those who don’t want to see developments in Africa. If there is any trap it is about poverty and underdevelopment," he added.
