Buhari: new era as East meets West afresh

NAIROBI: In 2015, Kenya was blessed with prominent visitors, the high point being Barack Obama’s July visit and the November visit by Pope Francis. The year ended with the 10th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization.

Curtain-raising another year of high-visibility events are visits by Presidents Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria and Abdel Fattah el Sisi of Egypt. British Prime Minister David Cameron has also committed to coming and President Modi of India may come soon. These visits affirm Kenya’s place as a strategic geo-political development partner.

President Buhari’s visit is of particular interest to me. Being his first State visit since he was sworn in is especially significant and indeed a pointer to the importance both Kenyatta and Buhari place on the need to forge mutually beneficial ties.

As part of the private sector delegation, I accompanied President Uhuru Kenyatta to Abuja in 2014 during which a number of opportunities were identified.

In 2014, Nigeria overtook South Africa as the largest economy in terms of GDP in Africa and was ranked 26th largest economy worldwide. With a population close to 200 million, Nigeria is Africa’s largest mobile telephony market, leading exporter of oil and the dominant trailblazer in the music and film sectors in Africa.

President Buhari inherited a country with a staggering national debt further complicated by unprecedented global decline in oil prices. In May 2014, a barrel of oil sold at $ 109, but today it is $28. This turn of events is no doubt devastating for the economy. It challenges Nigeria to embrace a more diversified economy.

Conversely, Kenya has had a diversified economy for decades. In spite of security challenges it remains a preferred tourist destination while its technology and financial innovations have won world acclaim. Low oil prices notwithstanding, I know Kenya has much to reflect upon from Nigeria in terms of oil exploration.

Both nations have much to gain from a strong west-east relationship and whilst it may appear dire for Nigeria, my own belief is that Nigerians are resilient, naturally assertive and entrepreneurially gifted people who will not only survive but also thrive.

During a visit to Lagos, I wanted to buy flowers. A supermarket guide led me to the section selling plastic flowers. On explaining I wanted fresh flowers, he seemed perplexed; what is readily available in Nairobi is a novelty in Lagos. Now, there lies an opportunity for Kenyans in the horticulture sector.

Before oil, Nigeria had a thriving agricultural sector meaning that there are vestiges from which to rebuild a thriving agribusiness ventures with Kenyans showing the way. In this regard, horticulture, tea and dairy farming come to mind. It might be prudent to review the list of banned imports that include cement, printed fabrics, some pharmaceuticals and a few others.

Kenya can also provide an alternative tourism destination for Nigeria and vice versa. Presidents Buhari and Kenyatta are inspirational leaders who embody the quest good governance plays in catalysing socio-economic progress. They are battling with perceptions of corruption whose mutations portent economic catastrophes but both Presidents have shown resolve to confront this niggling vice. On the global front, both presidents have taken decisive action in dealing with Boko Haram and Al Shabaab.

For President Buhari, one can only imagine the frustration of having a military that, given the caprice of inherited corruption, lacks requisite training and equipment to stamp out the infiltration of Boko Haram. Days ago, our own defence forces were attacked by Al Shabaab inside Somalia to the chagrin of all.

As Chimamanda Adichie says: “There’s a danger in a single story”. For too long we have heard of East Africa and West Africa as single stories. The ongoing engagement with our brothers and sisters from the west is breaking down some of these stereotypes previously invoked to keep east and west apart.

But as we share information and get to know each other better we shall empower both our countries and change—as well as reshape—the African narrative and destiny to benefit generations to come.