Nairobi — Kenya has signed a bilateral agreement with Jamaica, opening trade opportunities for the country in South America.

The cooperation is in tea and coffee, the tourism sector, jobs, and financial technology (fintech).

"Markets for Kenyan tea and coffee: Jamaica does not grow tea while they grow minimal amount of coffee," Foreign Affair Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua said.

"This presents an opportunity for these products given Jamaica's population of close to 3 million people," he added.

In the tourism sub-sector, the two nations will exchange knowledge and best practices between the Jamaican Maritime University and Kenya's Bandari College.

"This will include scholarships, student and faculty exchanges, joint development of curricula, internships, and training," he added.

Work opportunities between the two nations are also being explored for Kenyan seafarers on Jamaican cruiseships as well as nurses.

"Fintech; I had the singular privilege to explain to my counterpart how M-pesa operates and the strides Kenya has made in the financial services sector and the need for further strengthening our collaboration in Fintech."