Ethiopia PM Abiy Ahmed begins two-day State visit to Kenya

Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Wednesday began his two-day visit to Kenya.

President Uhuru Kenyatta received Dr. Ahmed at the Moyale One-Stop Border Post in Marsabit County.

The two leaders will inaugurate the border post before heading to Lamu County where they will inspect the ongoing construction of the new Lamu Port.

The port is an anchor project of the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor.

In March last year, Kenya and Ethiopia renewed their commitment to the full implementation of the LAPSSET projects as key enablers of the transformation of the two economies.

President Kenyatta and PM Ahmed said the regional infrastructure initiative is central to the unlocking of the economic potential of not only Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan but that of the entire East African region.

They offered assurance of their intention to deepen trade and economic ties between the two countries.

“In my mind, the LAPSSET project has great promise of transforming our countries and improving the living conditions of our people,” President Kenyatta said.

“Kenya and Ethiopia resolved to partner in developing first class infrastructure projects connecting our great nations and the continent. By this I have in mind the LAPSSET project which Kenya is, for sure, still fully committed to,” he added.

The SSA, signed in November 2012, is a framework of collaboration between Kenya and Ethiopia, and was the enabler for the Moyale-Addis Ababa highway, the On Stop Border Post at Moyale and several other joint initiatives.

Prime Minister Abiy said Ethiopia was open to Kenyan investors and called for the strengthening of trade relations between the two countries.

“Opportunities are now wide open for Kenyan companies to invest in energy and aviation in Ethiopia,” PM Abiy said.

“Similarly great potential awaits Kenyan investors to explore our agro processing, textile and garment manufacturing throughout the country,” he added.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed also invited President Kenyatta to join him in the ongoing regeneration of Addis Ababa into a green modern city, ideal for urban tourism and the service sector.