Kenyan President visits Oslo: Wants trade, not aid
Kenyan President William Ruto is currently on an official visit to Oslo. During his stay, he has delivered a clear message to Norwegian authorities and business leaders regarding the country's future international cooperation.
The President emphasizes that traditional development aid is no longer the best way to help Kenya. According to Ruto, aid has played out its role as the most important tool for development, and the country now wishes to shift the focus of its relationship with Norway.
Instead of financial support, Kenya now wants more focus on investment and trade. The President believes that increased cooperation between Kenyan and Norwegian companies will create more jobs and provide better economic growth for both parties.
The visit to Norway is part of a larger strategy by Kenyan authorities to attract international capital. By facilitating business cooperation, Kenya hopes to become a more independent economic player on the African continent.
It remains to be seen how Norwegian authorities will respond to the request for a new type of cooperation. The discussion regarding the relationship between aid and business investment is relevant for many countries that currently receive support from Norway.