Why Jonathan’s visit marks a major milestone for Nigeria, Kenya relations

President Uhuru Kenyatta (R) with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria. Co-operation between the two countries is welcome and has been long overdue. PHOTO | PPS

By Marcus Courage

IN SUMMARY
More trade between Nigeria and Kenya is good for the continent, and the rest of the world stands to benefit as these two nations counterbalance South African dominance in foreign policy, finance and mineral extraction.

The visit to Kenya by Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan marks an important point in Kenya-Nigeria relations and is a significant milestone in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s pledge to focus his administration’s foreign policy efforts in Africa.

For too long Kenya has punched below its weight in Africa, confining its sphere of influence and interest to the East Africa Community (EAC) and the Horn of Africa.

The scarcity of Kenyan companies operating in Nigeria bears this out. Only four Kenyan companies of any meaningful size, including Kenya Airways, are invested in Nigeria today.

Aligning Kenya’s foreign policy with other major influencers on the continent is a smart move.

Many African nations today can command an audience with the rest of the world, and specifically with investors who crave exposure to Africa’s growth markets. But to wield real influence on issues such as conflict and terrorism, climate change, trade and global finance, African nations must speak with a united voice.

Nigeria, tipped by some analysts to overtake South Africa in the next five to ten years as the continent’s biggest economy, has made major strides in expanding its reach on the continent. Pioneering industrialists and financiers such as Tony Elumelu and Aliko Dangote have blazed a trail. Kenya’s industrialists can learn from them. Nigeria too will have some lessons from Kenya.

Mr Goodluck’s visit is welcome and long overdue. Closer alignment between East Africa’s natural economic hub and West Africa’s most powerful and populous nation presents an axis of influence for expanding trade, promoting integration and driving growth on the African continent.

More trade between Nigeria and Kenya is good for the continent, and the rest of the world stands to benefit as these two nations counterbalance South African dominance in foreign policy, finance and mineral extraction.

What are the practical areas of agreement we can expect?

First, we can expect more trade and investment across a range of sectors. We can expect more Nigerians to take their holidays on the Kenyan coast and more Kenyan tea to be drunk in Lagos.

For several years now South Africa’s tourism industry has benefited from Nigerian visitors. Kenya’s golf courses and beach resorts can expect a similar influx of Nigerians. Hoteliers take note, Nigerians like big portions and large beds.

We can expect greater cooperation on security issues, particularly maritime security, terrorism and drug trafficking. Nigeria will no doubt be keen to learn from Kenya how its Navy responded to piracy threats, the extent of its cooperation with international partners and how critical that was to minimising the threat.

Similarly, both countries are currently experiencing domestic security challenges, with militant Islamists Boko Haram and Al Shabaab carrying out attacks in the two countries. The much talked about links between these groups and other al Qaeda affiliates means there are lessons in the way the countries respond to these threats.

In trade and investment, we can expect greater collaboration in oil services, financial services, ICT, horticulture, culture and education, energy and power.

Nigeria has had to learn the hard way the consequences of not drafting legislation to help it manage oil resources. It continues to grapple with this issue, from appalling environment degradation in its oil-producing Niger Delta, to militancy and criminality and unprecedented oil theft.