JOHANNESBURG, June 4 (Xinhua) — Kenyan President William Ruto on Thursday said Kenya and South Africa are seeking to accelerate the African Continental Free Trade Area framework to deepen bilateral investment, integrate regional value chains and unlock new economic growth.
Speaking at the ongoing Kenya-South Africa Business Forum at the Gallagher Estate in Johannesburg, Ruto called for tighter cooperation between Africa's major economies. He stressed that future expansion should depend on joint production, industrial partnerships and infrastructure development rather than simple commerce.
“We have moved beyond what we can sell to each other and we have moved beyond what we can build together,” Ruto told business leaders and government officials.
The Kenyan President said bilateral trade has expanded by an average of 3.5 percent annually since the 2022 Forum in Nairobi. As a result, Kenya remains one of South Africa's largest trading partners outside the Southern African Development Community.
Ruto highlighted increased cross-border capital flows as a fundamental pillar of this relationship. Kenyan companies have invested US$283 million in 11 projects in South Africa, while South African enterprises have launched 96 projects worth more than $2 billion in Kenya.
The President also praised development finance institutions for strengthening strategic infrastructure. He said the Development Bank of Southern Africa helped finance a 350-kilometre petroleum pipeline linking the port city of Mombasa to Nairobi.
According to Ruto, both countries are exploring more financing models for catalytic infrastructure to reduce logistics costs, improve regional connectivity and boost market competitiveness.
He identified manufacturing, agriculture, finance, technology and innovation as priority sectors. In particular, partnerships in automotive manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, mining and construction will boost continental industrialization.
Urging businesses to integrate supply chains rather than compete in isolation, the Kenyan President made a clear call to action: “Instead of working separately to protect our markets, let us integrate our supply and value chains.”
He supported the creation of the South Africa-Kenya Business Council to streamline private-public dialogue and eliminate persistent non-tariff trade barriers.
Ruto also said Africa's long-term wealth depends on converting policy commitments into solid commercial partnerships and industrial investments.
“Through cooperation, South Africa and Kenya will not only develop both our countries but contribute to a more prosperous Africa,” he said.