President William Ruto announced that Kenya and Guinea-Bissau have pledged to deepen diplomatic and trade ties, emphasizing mutual respect and a shared vision for prosperity. During a press briefing at State House, Nairobi, following bilateral talks with Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, President Ruto highlighted the nations’ commitment to advancing trade and investment.
This would be achieved through leveraging platforms like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Tripartite Free Trade Agreement, uniting COMESA, the East African Community (EAC), and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC). “Together, we are committed to harnessing this potential to drive economic growth for the benefit of our people,” said President Ruto.
As the African Union (AU) Champion of Institutional Reforms, President Ruto affirmed his dedication to working with Guinea-Bissau to advance AU reforms, promote peace, and drive economic development. He emphasized the need for restructuring the African Court of Justice to provide effective dispute-resolution mechanisms and align the Pan-African Parliament’s role with the continent’s evolving needs.
“These reforms are essential to ensuring that the AU’s institutions remain responsive, effective, and aligned with the evolving needs of our continent,” he noted.
The two leaders also expressed concern over ongoing conflicts in Sudan and the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. They called for greater African collaboration to restore peace and stability. President Ruto praised Guinea-Bissau’s contributions to peacekeeping efforts and reiterated Kenya’s readiness to collaborate on peace initiatives across the continent.
“Peace and security must take precedence as they form the foundation for unlocking Africa’s immense potential for industrialization, job creation, and wealth generation. There cannot be much investment and trade in an environment of conflict and insecurity,” said President Ruto.
To bolster connectivity and cooperation, the President announced plans to establish a Kenya Airways route to Guinea-Bissau. Additionally, Kenya will offer scholarships to Guinea-Bissau students, focusing on fields such as agriculture, trade, and tourism.
President Ruto also thanked President Embaló for endorsing Kenya’s candidate for the position of African Union Commission Chairperson for the 2025–2028 term, acknowledging Embaló’s instrumental role in rallying support within West Africa.
President Embaló reaffirmed Guinea-Bissau’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and pursuing peace and stability for Africa’s shared prosperity. “We will establish robust frameworks to solidify our cooperation in areas of mutual interest,” said President Embaló.
