Kenya, Algeria to strengthen ties through new joint cooperation

Kenya and Algeria are set to formalise an expanded partnership through a new Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC).

The agreement will be signed under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) frameworks, as announced by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.

This follows a high-level meeting with Algeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad Ahmed Attaf on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

“Our two countries must continue to work together to strengthen bilateral cooperation for the common good of the people of our two nations,” Mudavadi stated.

He underscored the importance of the upcoming JCC session, which is scheduled to be held in Kenya.

The JCC, he noted, would provide a robust platform for Kenya and Algeria to develop strategic cooperation across multiple sectors, including agriculture, defense, and education.

The African Continental Free Trade Area, which aims to create a single market for goods and services across Africa, will be central to expanding Kenya-Algeria trade.

“Kenya is keen to expand trade engagements between our two countries through the AfCFTA frameworks,” said Mudavadi.

Mudavadi also highlighted Kenya’s role as a commercial hub in East and Central Africa, with access to a market of 400 million people, and invited Algerian investors to explore opportunities in the region.

"Kenya is a commercial hub for East and Central Africa, with a huge market of 400 million people. I invite Algerian investors to Kenya to take advantage of the vast market and investment opportunities," Mudavadi urged.

In addition to trade, the two nations have strong ties in other areas of mutual benefit.

Mudavadi acknowledged Algeria's recent donation of 16,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser to Kenya, a contribution that supports Kenya’s agricultural sector.

He also congratulated Algeria on its election to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a non-permanent member for the 2024-2025 term.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary emphasised that Kenya and Algeria have a history of supporting each other at international forums, especially on issues related to peace and security, climate change, and agriculture.

“Kenya is dedicated to working closely with Algeria in the multilateral sector for the attainment of Agenda 2063 and the good of the African Continent,” he remarked.

In a diplomatic move, Mudavadi also urged Algeria to back former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s bid for the Chairperson position of the African Union Commission (AUC).

Mudavadi praised Odinga as a leader with a proven track record.

“Raila Odinga’s remarkable leadership and exemplary career as a Pan-Africanist makes him a perfect fit to sit at the helm of the AUC and drive Africa’s transformation and Agenda 2063. He is an ardent champion of African unity, African integration, infrastructural connectivity, youth empowerment, and gender equality,” Mudavadi said.

Attaf expressed his country’s readiness to move forward with the agreements.

“We are ready for the bilateral agreements, and we are waiting for Kenya to allow us to be in Nairobi for the signing,” Attaf said.