President Uhuru Kenyatta secretly left the country to attend an official event in Zambia after being invited by Zambian President, Dr. Edgar Lungu.
The president delivered a keynote speech at the two-day summit themed, 'The Future of Economic Diplomacy', held at Avani Victoria Falls Resort in the tourist town of Livingstone, Zambia.
“This Summit is opportune and timely. Let us use it constructively to generate ideas and feasible solutions that can take Zambia and our Continent forward.
"Because we share the same aspirations, Kenya and Zambia support each other's growth and development processes and have been strategic and cooperative partners," Uhuru stated.
According to Uhuru, the current attention on intra-Africa trade, investment and commercial agenda is responding to the reality of a globalized world.
He pointed out five fundamental realities that underline the importance of economic diplomacy in Africa, including the fact that more than 95 per cent of the world trade is being transacted outside of the African continent.
The President also singled out the high cost of doing business in Africa and the many barriers that exports from the continent face in global markets as some of the challenges leaders must address.
“Africa is the only continent that has the least trade and investment with itself," President Kenyatta observed
He also noted that the continent is the most affected by the new challenges of globalization, supply chains, data flows and blockchains.
Zambian president, Edgar Lungu, stated that his country will remain committed to the continued bilateral cooperation with Kenya adding that his administration is keen to ensure the prosperity of the entire continent.
Uhuru was the only sitting Head of State invited to the summit also attended by former Tanzanian President Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete.
The summit seeks to establish how economic policies, bilateral trade and investment agreements, and international organizations anchor inclusive growth and sustainable development in Africa.
