We have a lot to gain from regional trade

A Nigerian friend called me a few weeks ago to ask about a Kenyan musician he had seen on Viva, a popular sports show on a local TV station.

That is Nigerians for you! Anywhere you meet them, they will ask about Mombasa, Al-Shabaab, our president, and other things that seemingly should not matter to a foreigner.

Most of the Nigerians I have interacted with have more than a passing interest in events in Kenya, which explains why more than 500 government officials and businessmen joined President Goodluck Jonathan on his inaugural visit to Kenya in September 2013.

Most Nigerians are interested in events in countries that could offer opportunities to their insatiable investment appetite. Kenyans, on the other hand, especially the younger generation, have little interest in events beyond their borders.

They would rather follow gossip columns and television series on the lives of their favourite celebrities and socialites. Many social media fanatics are not even aware that Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, postponed its elections.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta is big on increased intra-Africa relations. He has been to Nigeria twice since he came to power. On one such visit, he led more than 40 members of the private sector for a state visit and trade mission to Nigeria. Agriculture, the backbone of Kenya’s economy, was at the centre of discussions.

Nigeria could import fresh produce from Kenya. Feeding 170 million people should be sufficient incentive for Kenyan farmers to increase their produce for export.

OIL EXPORTERS

Kenya Airways has announced its new Nairobi-Abuja route. Consider this: about 100,000 Nigerians transit through the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport annually, yet a mere 1,000 end up staying in Kenya. There is a lot that Kenya can offer to Nigerian tourists, including culture and food, and businessmen can invest in lodges and hotels in Kenya.

Kenya, which is expected to soon join the league of oil exporters, can learn from Nigeria’s experience. Nigerian movies are popular in Kenya, and that country’s advanced entertainment industry has a lot to offer Kenyans seeking to develop the potential in filmmaking.

Figures from the Kenya Investment Authority show that trade between the two countries is low, falling from a peak of Sh3.2 billion exports from Kenya to Nigeria in 2008 to Sh2.9 billion ($34.2m) in 2012. 

Nigeria is a member of the Economic Community of West African States. This gives Kenyan business people an added advantage since they can also sell their products to the other members of the bloc.

The challenge will be overcoming the apathy among young people to look beyond our borders for business opportunities. If Nigeria prospers, a myriad of opportunities will open up for Kenyan entrepreneurs.

There is currently a consensus among African leaders that regional integration is indispensable in unlocking economies of scale and sharpening competitiveness.

Promoting intra-African trade has emerged as a top priority in recognition of the fact that the African market of one billion consumers can be a powerful engine for growth and employment. We should not be left behind.

Ms Nyamai is a communications consultant working in East Africa and Nigeria. [email protected].