President Uhuru Kenyatta's speech at the close of TICAD conference

As the TICAD conference officially came to an end, President Uhuru Kenyatta thanked all the Japanese and African leaders in attendance and lauded the effort at economic integration.

Here's the President's speech at the ceremonial signing during the Africa-Japan business forum at Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Nairobi on 28th august, 2016:

Your Excellency the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr Shinzo Abe;

Your Excellences, Heads of State and Government present,

The Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and cooperatives, Mr Adan Mohamed,

Japan’s Vice-Minister for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

The Chairperson of the Kenya Investment Authority (KIA),

The Chairman and CEO of the Japan External Trade Organization [JETRO],

Captains of industry from Africa and Japan

Distinguished Participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I wish to begin by expressing our sincere appreciation to the captains of industry and business leaders from Japan and Africa for attending the TICAD VI Conference and more importantly the Japan –Africa Business Forum.

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Kenya appreciates the significant milestones achieved in Africa through the TICAD Process and we laud Japan and the co – organisers for their continued commitment to Africa’s development on the basis of the twin principles of Africa’s ownership and international partnership.

I also thank the Japan External Trade Organization and the Kenya Investment Authority for organizing this this Business conference which has culminated into the signing ceremony for various

We all know that TICAD VI will conclude later today but the partnerships and business networks you created have the potential to transform your businesses and organizations.

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen

The Government of Kenya is focused on shifting our economy from the production and export of raw materials to the production of high quality manufactured goods. We therefore welcome the thematic thrust of the TICAD VI Conference with emphasis on Industrialization and diversification as the top priority areas for the next three years.

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are here today to underscore our faith in entrepreneurship as a key driver of economic growth, socio-economic transformation, job creation and social inclusion. I am also equally excited at the prospect of witnessing various MOUs emerging from TICAD VI.

May I urge you not to lose any opportunity to explore partnerships that can contribute to our own efforts to transform our economic productivity by reaching at least 50% GDP as a share of the manufacturing sector.

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Government of Kenya is ready and willing to support partnerships that will ensure that our youth not only get quality jobs but our farmers can earn more from their sweat and at least 90% of their agricultural exports are processed locally. Kenya’s water bodies also present many profitable investment opportunities for private sector participation. We encourage partnerships to develop this sector.

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Japan –Africa Business forum is a very timely platform to support ongoing efforts to transform our economies. We urge you to use Japan’s valuable experience and technical knowhow to build an African Private Sector that is not only more dynamic but also effectively integrated into the global market.

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are well aware of the many opportunities presented by our growing African economies.

Kenya indeed continues to make efforts in close consultations with our East African Community partners to provide a conducive investment climate for foreign investors. With support from the Government of Japan, Kenya has achieved a reduction in energy costs and improved transport, communication as well as power connectivity and availability throughout the country. We are steadily demonstrating Africa’s green-power generation capacity where it is set to contribute about 5000MW into the national grid.

In this regard, I wish to reiterate our gratitude to the Government of Japan for the valuable support and to invite more Japanese Private Sector investments into geothermal power generation.

WITH THOSE FEW REMARKS I SAY ASANTENI SANA, THANK YOU.