By: John Kariuki
The 3rd Kenya International Investment Conference kicked off yesterday in Nairobi with African Trade Ministers discussing strategies for unlocking Africa’s potential in investment and trade. It brings together delegates from Government, Private Sector, and Development Partners & Non State Actors.
Speaking when he officially opened the conference President William Ruto noted,
“This is a crucial opportunity for us in Africa to define the terms and conditions under which we shall pursue African self-sufficiency in order to actualize the African right to self-determination. We have a promising opportunity to sustain robust conversation about resilience, generate strong consensus regarding self-sufficiency & design policies/strategies that will direct public and private investments towards making sure we are less vulnerable as a continent.”
On his part trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria noted: “Throughout our journey of AfCFTA, it has been a conversation of government to government but today this gathering marks a significant milestone, as for the first time private sectors have had an opportunity to have a conversation with the governments. Government and policy makers exist to create an enabling environment for private sectors to take advantages.
In addition we have also discussed some of the challenges faced by AfCFTA, such as lack of infrastructural capacity to combat smuggling and other illicit practices across the border, and the need to urgently adopt a cohesive policy that is mutually beneficial to all our member states.
In doing so this will herald a new dawn of economic prosperity, industrialization, and sustainable development across our continent.”
