Kenya has reaffirmed its support for Egypt’s position on Nile River water rights, while also extending an invitation for collaboration in the agricultural sector. This comes after a Tuesday meeting between Egyptian Labour Minister Mohamed Gobran and Francis Atwoli, President of the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) and Secretary General of Kenya’s Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU-K).
Atwoli proposed a partnership where Egyptian investors could cultivate 2,000 acres of Kenyan land, focusing on vegetable production with the help of Egyptian workers.
This initiative aligns with Kenya’s strategy to boost agricultural output and benefit from Egyptian expertise. Gobran said that the proposal will be submitted to the relevant Egyptian authorities, including the Ministry of Agriculture, to expedite implementation.
Minister Gobran emphasized Egypt’s commitment to deepening cooperation with African nations.
He echoed President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s vision of Africa as a strategic partner, citing shared history and geography. Gobran highlighted Egypt’s recent development progress, its secure investment climate, and ongoing efforts to enhance the labour sector under the “New Republic” initiative.
Gobran stressed the importance of African worker unions and federations as key players in the labour and production landscape, alongside governments and employers. He acknowledged the crucial role of the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity, representing 20 million workers across 55 African countries, in fostering collaboration.
Atwoli expressed his admiration for Egypt’s development achievements, particularly the New Administrative Capital. He reiterated Kenya’s support for Egyptian policies in various international forums.
Atwoli also noted the presence of around 5,000 Egyptian workers in Nairobi across diverse sectors, underlining the availability of skilled Egyptian labour to meet Kenya’s growing market demands.
This meeting underscores the potential for increased cooperation between Egypt and Kenya, promoting economic growth and strengthening labour ties across Africa.
