Kenya, France agree $3 billion deals as Macron visits
Economic deals worth more than $3 billion were signed between Kenya and France on Wednesday, which are expected to improve the East African country’s infrastructure, food, security and technology.
The agreements signed between visiting French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, include the construction of a 20-kilometer commuter railway that links downtown Nairobi and the capital city’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
They also include a $1.6 billion contract to improve a 200-kilometer highway from Nairobi to western Kenya for passenger and freight transportation.
A statement from the Kenyan authorities said the deals span several industries including roads, food, security, health and technology. “Some of the areas of interest between Kenya and France include economic and technical cooperation, regional peace and security, climate change, reform of the United Nations, migration and sustainable development, among others.”
During a joint news conference, Kenyatta said his government has prioritized the transformation of the country through infrastructure expansion to support a growing and competitive economy.
“We have already put a significant amount of investment into the standard gauge railway, linking Mombasa and Nairobi and will extend to the western part of the country. And as we are doing so, we hope to develop the commuter rail infrastructure and other public transport corridors to provide efficient, secure and accessible means of transport,” he said.
Macron, in a first visit to Kenya by a French head of state since 1963, emphasized his commitment to deepening relations with Kenya. “We are looking at working together in matters concerning security, counterterrorism and the regional agenda,” he said.
He said France wants to be part of Kenya’s new growth agenda and will sign new agreements to develop new public-private-partnership projects to finance the country’s infrastructure expansion. “We want to be a partner in research and education and have signed a total of seven agreements to expand this area, which I believe is critical to your agenda.”
The two presidents also witnessed the unveiling of a new line of French-made vehicles assembled locally, the Peugeot 3008, which is being assembled at the Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers plant.
Macron also attended the One Planet Summit, a UN Environment Assembly event which aims at reversing climate change. Kenya was Macron’s third stop after Djibouti and Ethiopia.