Kenya has signed an agricultural cooperation deal with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), seeking to boost agricultural productivity and food security in the two countries. This will be through mutually beneficial trade, research and education.
The bilateral agreement was signed by DRC’s ministers Mzinga Birihanze Desire of Agriculture, and Bokele Djema Adrien of Fisheries and Livestock, and Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Raychelle Omamo on behalf of Agriculture CS Peter Munya.
Objectives of the agreement include promoting increased agricultural productivity in Kenya and DR Congo, encouraging joint investment ventures between respective private entrepreneurs as well as boosting mutually beneficial trade between the two countries.
Being a net importer of agricultural products, DRC will provide a ready market for Kenya’s food products, which are its main exports, accounting for about 33% of the country’s GDP.
The agreement will also cover the areas of crop development and promotion, agricultural and livestock research, animal health and production, fisheries, aquaculture and Blue Economy, marketing of agricultural commodities as well as promotion of youth in agriculture programmes such as 4K clubs.
Elesewhere, Kenyan firms have committed to invest over $1.6 billion in DRC in various projects and sectors.
The Kenyan firms eyeing opportunities in the DRC include Rentco Africa Limited, Optiven Group, Greenlight Planet Limited, Jumbo Foam Limited, BIDCO, Geomaps and Nyanja Associates, among others.
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