To bolster youth development, Kenya and Rwanda are seeking to enhance their trade relations. Both governments have signed an agreement covering ten areas of cooperation after President Ruto of Kenya paid a two-day visit to Rwanda.
The program aims to promote development collaboration in penal services, diplomatic training, agriculture, and health. Kenya is focused on enhancing its bilateral trade with Rwanda in cooperative development, youth empowerment, and information and communication technology.
President Ruto and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, signed an agreement on ten areas of cooperation during the state visit, with a particular emphasis on education, ICT, gender and child development, youth capacity development, and cooperatives.
The trade balance currently favors Kenya, with its exports to Rwanda reaching $278 million (Sh37 billion) in 2021, compared to Rwanda’s exports of $11 million (Sh1.4 billion) in 2022. Kenya’s direct access to most global markets through ships gives it an advantage over landlocked Rwanda.
President Ruto is optimistic that the agreements will boost commercial relations and foster regional growth and development. Among the planned agreements to improve commerce are those focused on collaboration in the ICT industry and youth affairs and the arts, to promote mutual understanding and job creation.
