Negotiations between Kenya and Algeria have begun, opening the door to trade in various goods, including tea, coffee, nuts, fruits, and flowers from Kenya, as well as oil, gas, and petroleum from Algeria.

PHOTO | COURTESY Kenysin talks with Algeria for trade partnership.

The making of announcement happened at a meeting between Algeria's Minister of Commerce and Export Promotion, Kamel Rezig, Minister of Energy and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, and Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang'ula.

Algeria controls a sizable energy market as the continent's top oil producer. Meanwhile, Kenya is a significant producer and exporter of goods, including tea, coffee, almonds, and flowers, among others, from which the two nations might benefit.

Wetang'ula mentioned that Kenya was looking into the possibility of producing oil. However, it was still in the early stages and needed assistance in creating capacity for oil exploration and processing.

PHOTO | COURTESY Kenya Ports Authority

Kenya has found oil resources, but studies and discoveries are only beginning. Wetang'ula said Algeria, which has sold oil for many years, will be helpful to our nation in terms of staying in the industry and exchanging expertise.

He said that the transfer of technology skills would hasten the finding of oil in Kenya, which would cut the nation's increasing fuel prices.

Mohamed Arkab, Algeria's minister of energy and mining, agreed that trade relations with Kenya needed to be improved.

He elaborated on three aspects of oil production and processing, including exploration, processing, and marketing, while painting a broad picture of Algeria's energy sector.

Rezig said he is ready to rekindle the two nations' already-excited, warm relations to strengthen bilateral engagement by creating an economic and business council that would identify strategic engagement areas for the benefit of the two nations.

He noted that the establishment of the Kenya-Algeria Friendship Group was a benefit in furthering the two nations' trade agenda.

The partnership between the two nations will boost Kenya's economic crisis and help the country's economy grow.