Mudavadi: We've sought greater market access in Morocco to address trade imbalance

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat/OPCS

Kenya is urging Morocco to increase its imports of Kenyan tea, coffee, and fresh produce in a bid to address a significant trade imbalance between the two countries.

Speaking during an official visit to Morocco, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi highlighted the stark disparity in trade volumes, with Morocco exporting commodities worth over Sh12 billion to Kenya, compared to Kenya’s exports to Morocco totaling just Sh500 million.

“There is an urgent need to redress the current imbalance, which is heavily tilted in favour of our North African partners,” Mudavadi said in Rabat, where he held bilateral talks with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.

Mudavadi thanked the Moroccan government for its hospitality and emphasised that the engagements held during the visit had “further enhanced cooperation” between the two countries.

A series of bilateral agreements were signed, including Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) in key sectors such as housing and development, trade, youth affairs, foreign service training, and institutional partnerships between the Kenya School of Government and Morocco’s National Higher School of Administration.

“The Government of Kenya looks forward to the active implementation of the MOUs for the mutual benefit of our two brotherly nations,” Mudavadi said.

To strengthen educational and cultural ties, Mudavadi advocated for an increase in scholarships for Kenyan students studying in Morocco, beyond the current allocation of 20.

He also proposed the hiring of Kenyan English teachers by Morocco, noting the growing demand for English language education in the country.

On the economic front, Kenya also requested Morocco to consider offering concessional rates on fertiliser for Kenyan farmers—a major import from Morocco.

Additionally, Nairobi is pushing for open airspace agreements that would allow direct flights between Kenya and Moroccan cities including Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech, to enhance trade and tourism connectivity.

Mudavadi also reaffirmed the commitment of both nations to strengthening political and diplomatic cooperation through multilateral platforms such as the African Union and the United Nations.

“We agreed to continue our engagements within the frameworks of the African Union and the United Nations to ensure regional and global peace and security,” he said.