With improved relations, Kenya stands to benefit from Agoa

The on-going Africa Growth and Opportunity Act meeting currently underway in Washington DC offers a golden chance for African countries to mend relationships that have weakened over a period of time with the United States.

The latter has been urging African leaders to fully espouse the principles of democracy and good governance as a prerequisite for aid and co-operation.

Agoa, passed into law by former President Bill Clinton, aims at improving relationships between sub-Saharan African countries and the US in the fields of trade, democracy and security.

Enhanced trading between them would eventually integrate the African economies into a global economy.

Bilateral relationships, however, went on the down-slide after the US started making demands, as a pre-condition for loans and grants that did not jell well with the Africans.

The unconditional acceptance of gays and lesbians into society was not taken well by most African states.

America's Secretary of State ohn Kerry has urged African states to embrace a free market economy as a means towards intensifying trade.

On the other hand, the African Union has requested an extension on the Agoa treaty for 15 years during which time, member states will enjoy preferential treatment while exporting produce to the United States.

Already, the US is expected to provide $1 billion dollars in business deals besides supporting peacekeeping efforts in Africa.

That amount will also be used to ensure food security and actualise the Power Africa initiative. Power Africa Initiative aims to provide electricity to millions of households on the once Dark Continent.

By the year 2018, it is expected that the initiative will have added at least 10,000 megawatts to the African grid.

With attention both from the US and China focused on Africa, the continent stands to benefit immensely from associating with these economic giants.

However, relationships and trade should be carried out on equal partnership basis. Africa will not stand to gain if the slant will be more on imports than exports.

Kenya stands to benefit more under Agoa, which also no doubt will lead to improved diplomatic relationships with America. While American goods find their way into the market, efforts should not be spared in making sure more of our tea, coffee, flowers, craft and leather products find their way into the American and European markets.

Yet despite that, Africa will gain more if there is a deliberate value addition to its products.

Though a recent poll conducted by the international research firm ONE shows that 44 per cent of Kenyans favoured trade with China while 37 per cent favoured the US, Kenya stands a better chance for economic improvement in trading with the Americans.

China exports more into Africa than it imports from Africa.

This is not to say that China should be by passed because its expertise in the technical field has been very beneficial to the country. The construction of Thika Highway and many other roads in the country are evidence of their good work.

The importance of the yet-to-be-built Standard Gauge Railway line to the country's economy and movement of goods within East Africa cannot be gainsaid.

In all these, co-operation should be based on mutual understanding and respect.