Africa must open up to Africa, says Uhuru
Speaking at the Pan African Parliament in Midrand, Kenyatta told members of the house that the continent's potential could be realised only if African governments worked together and made it easier to trade with each other.
"There cannot be a good reason why it is easier for us to trade with Asia, Europe and the Americas rather than our own fellow Africans. We have ended up as a source of raw materials. This must come to an end. Africa must use her resources to create jobs for our own young people.
"Africa must significantly open her markets to African products to promote this ideal. That process can only be achieved if we start by opening up our borders to each other," Kenyatta said.
He called for governments to significantly reduce the cost of inter-Africa trade and to forge partnerships which would take the continent into a new industrial development.
Partnerships have started to emerge in East Africa.
This process began in July 2000 with Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi. This community undertook to establish a customs union, common market, monitoring union and a political federation. The customs union is already in place and the common market goal is gradually being achieved.
"Despite our individually small economies, the integration has placed the entire region on a trajectory of growth that will fundamentally transform Africa," Kenyatta said.
East African countries are also planning to partner in infrastructure projects that will support trade, reduce telecommunication costs and standardise tuition fees for member states.
But a threat to this development is the resurgence of terrorist groups, in particular Boko Haram and al Shabab.
"For us in Kenya, terrorism matters and vulnerability in this regard makes it imperative to forge close ties with our neighbours and to be attuned to developments relating to this threat in other parts of the world.
"The radicalisation of young people extends beyond national or even continental borders. This fluid challenge requires unfailing solidarity between our states."
Kenyatta also announced that Kenya would be the second country after Mali to sign a protocol that will see the Pan African Parliament becoming a legislative body.
Source: The Times
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