Nairobi — The National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula today appealed Egypt to rally behind the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), an agreement that seeks to establish an integrated and open African market.

Wetang'ula underscored the valuable contribution that Egypt's engagement holds for the realization of AfCFTA's objectives.

"With Egypt, an esteemed member of the 'Big Four Brothers' within the continent, standing as a signatory to the AfCFTA, the aspirations of member nations rest upon its robust participation," emphasized the Speaker.

The Speaker made the remarks in his office when he hosted the Egyptian Ambassador to Kenya Wael Nasreldin Attiya.

"The AfCFTA stands as a paragon of economic progress for Africa. The success of this initiative promises to usher in an era of unparalleled economic advancement across the African continent, " he added.

The Speaker noted that Egypt has excelled in irrigation of desert areas, noting that the same can be applied in Kenya through the Egypt-modelled techniques, boosting food production and reclaiming arid and semi-arid areas in the country.

"Numerous communities residing within Kenya's arid landscapes grapple with deprivation and livestock loss stemming from food scarcity. Drawing inspiration from Egypt's exemplar irrigation programs, these areas could be rejuvenated into productive havens," Wetang'ula added.

The Ambassador unveiled the forthcoming 7th Kenya-Egypt Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) event, which seeks to consolidate burgeoning trade avenues between the two nations.