On 22 November 2018, Kenya and Mozambique signed a visa waiver agreement that will allow citizens of both countries to travel without first obtaining visas. The deal was witnessed by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi in Nairobi.
The arrangement is meant to make movement easier and support wider economic ties between the two states. During a Kenya-Mozambique business forum in Nairobi, the two presidents urged private investors to take advantage of the opportunities already available in both markets.
President Kenyatta said trade between Kenya and Mozambique was growing too slowly despite the size of the market and the investment space on offer. He pointed to 2017 figures showing that Kenya imported goods worth $31 million from Mozambique, while exports to Mozambique stood at $12 million.
He noted that the two countries had mainly been trading in manufactured goods, which he described as a positive sign for Africa’s industrial sector. Kenyatta also encouraged Kenyan firms to widen their export base and look at opportunities in Mozambique’s mining, oil and gas sectors.
The President said Kenyan cement companies had already begun importing coal from Mozambique, which also has large natural gas reserves. He invited Mozambican traders and companies to invest in Kenya, describing the country’s economy as open, safe and friendly for business.
Both leaders said better infrastructure would help raise intra-Africa trade, which remains low. Kenyatta added that he would work with Nyusi to ensure the agreements signed between the two governments are implemented successfully.
Nyusi said Kenya and Mozambique share deep historical and cultural links, saying the relationship stretches back more than a millennium and that people from the two countries are related. He called on the private sector to lead the expansion of cooperation in agriculture, agribusiness, minerals and tourism.
“We should enhance partnership between our private sectors,” said President Nyusi, adding that Mozambique could share its fishing experience with Kenya. He also said his country would take part in the upcoming Blue Economy Conference in Nairobi from Monday next week, where he is expected to lead the Mozambican delegation. The event is expected to draw 11 Heads of State and 8,000 delegates.
The Kenya-Mozambique business forum was attended by Deputy President William Ruto and Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya, among other officials. Later, President Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta hosted a State Banquet at State House, Nairobi, in honour of President Filipe Nyusi and First Lady Isaura Nyusi.
At the banquet, Kenyatta said the cultural and language similarities between the two countries make it easier for their people to interact. He said, “We are one people bound by a common history, one culture and love for one Africa,” and added that the shared culture, language and people reflect a rich heritage.
Nyusi, who at times switched to Kiswahili during his speeches, said he was impressed by Kenya’s democratic space and urged Kenyatta to keep strengthening the principle of separation of powers. He also said Mozambicans remain grateful for Kenya’s role in helping bring the Mozambican civil war to an end.
“Kenya, to Mozambique, is not just another country. It is part of our history,” he said. Nyusi also praised Kenya as a land of champions, naming Prof Wangari Maathai and Kipchoge Keino among its icons.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga attended the dinner as well. Nyusi was scheduled to visit Mombasa and Kwale counties on Thursday, where he was expected to meet members of the Makonde community, officially recognised by President Kenyatta last year as Kenya’s 43rd ethnic group. The Makonde arrived in Kenya from Mozambique in the 1950s.
