Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua on Sunday, June 18, announced that he had signed a new deal with Barbados, a Caribbean nation, to export computers manufactured in Kenya.
In a statement, Mutua stated that the agreement was part of several other deals he signed with the North American nation covering different sectors including Trade, Agriculture, and Labour Migration.
Additionally, he stated that the two nations agreed to explore ways of sending Kenyan nurses to work in Barbados.
Other discussions the CS engaged in during the week-long visit included incorporating Kenyan Commercial Banks in Barbados’ lucrative banking sector and opportunities for Kenyan aircraft to ferry cargo and passengers to the Caribbean country.
“We discussed the implementation of already signed agreements in many sectors such as Trade, Agriculture, Labour Migration and provision of Kenyan-built computers to Barbados.
“We also discussed how Kenya's Commercial Banks can participate in the country’s lucrative banking sector. We agreed to explore ways of sending Kenyan nurses to work on the beautiful Island,” the statement read in part.
Mutua further revealed that he rallied support for Kenya's Ambassador and Special Envoy for Maritime and Blue Economy Nancy Karigithu, in her quest to become the next Secretary General at the International Maritime Organization
“I also requested Barbados to support Kenya’s bid by Nancy Karigithu for the top job at the International Maritime Organization. Barbados agreed to discuss the matter with the Caribbean community,” he added.
In recent years, Kenya has been positioning herself as a digital hub, hosting the YouTube Black Voices closing ceremony on June 13, an event meant to amplify black creatives online.
Additionally, on March 2022, Microsoft, a US multinational, opened a Ksh3 billion (USD27 million) facility in Nairobi designed to offer Kenyans a chance to create technological solutions for both local and global markets.
The centre partnered with the government to create over 200,000 job opportunities for young Kenyans in support of the digital economy. The institution absorbed professionals in different fields including software development, programme management, technical design, content writing, operations, research, and applied science.
In January 2023, President William Ruto announced the construction of a digital superhighway meant to transform the Health, Agriculture, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and Financial sectors had begun.
"The digital economy promises a boost to the business process outsourcing industry making it a leading export and job-creating sector by exporting and employing thousands of youths," a statement from the Office of the Government Spokesperson read in part.
