South Sudan and Kenya have agreed to pursuing joint infrastructure projects to enhance regional integration and boost trade. The announcement was made during talks between the Presidents of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, and Kenya, William Ruto at a meeting held at the State House in Namibia’s capital city of Nairobi this month.
“This is instrumental in supporting bilateral trade,” President Ruto stated, adding, “President Kiir and I had the opportunity to share ideas about collaborating to seize emerging opportunities to improve the trade balance between our two nations.”
Poised to enhance connectivity, further integration, and enrich intra-regional trade within East Africa, the two countries agreed on implementing the infrastructural projects under the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport Corridor project. The project is expected to attract investment in sectors such as transportation, logistics, and trade-related services, while creating new business opportunities and promote economic development in the East African region.
Furthermore, the leaders signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a fiber optic cable linking the town of Eldoret in northwest Kenya and Juba, the capital of South Sudan. President Ruto and President Kiir also agreed to complete construction of the 11km road from the village of Nadapal in Kenya to the town of Nakodok in South Sudan, both situated near the border between the two countries.
Meanwhile, the two countries are working to complete development of the Kenya-South Sudan Corridor Road Upgrading Project, which will link landlocked South Sudan to the Kenyan port of Mombasa. The Presidents have also agreed to take full advantage of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement to unlock the economic and social benefits of increased trade.
In addition to infrastructure, President Kiir and President Ruto also pledged to support efforts to de-escalate conflict in Sudan, where fighting between Sudanese armed forces and paramilitary forces has resulted in approximately 700,00 refugees seeking asylum in neighboring countries.
Source: Energy Capital Power