Deputy President (DP) Kithure Kindiki has reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to deepening relations with Algeria, focusing on trade, education, and labor cooperation. Speaking during his official visit to Algiers for the Fourth Intra-Africa Trade Fair, DP Kindiki underscored Algeria’s importance as a strategic partner for Kenya.
Among the key highlights was education and knowledge exchange, an area where the two nations have steadily built strong ties. Addressing Kenyan students and professionals living in Algeria, Prof. Kindiki encouraged them to take advantage of emerging opportunities, particularly as Algeria transitions to English as a language of instruction. This shift, he noted, could open teaching opportunities for Kenyan graduates.
On trade, the Deputy President emphasized Algeria’s growing appetite for Kenyan products such as coffee, tea, meat, powder milk, avocados, and citrus fruits. “We are going to firm up our bilateral relations because Algeria is keen to buy our produce. That is why I came with the Trade Minister Lee Kinyanjui,” said Kindiki. He also revealed plans to operationalize direct flights between Nairobi and Algiers to ease business and student travel.
Through the government’s Kazi Majuu program, which focuses on labor mobility, Kenya is keen on formalizing agreements with Algeria. The country has already signed six bilateral labor agreements and is negotiating with 13 others. Prof. Kindiki assured Kenyans abroad that such deals will ensure transparency on employment terms, salaries, and repatriation procedures.
The Deputy President further pledged to explore ways of extending Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) support to students studying outside Kenya, easing financial burdens for international learners.
In agriculture, DP Kindiki highlighted Algeria’s donation of 16,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer to Kenya, which has boosted the ongoing subsidy program and enhanced food production.
He reassured students that the government remains committed to addressing issues such as qualification recognition and professional equivalence abroad. Finally, Kindiki urged Kenyans in Algeria to serve as ambassadors for their nation, promoting Kenya’s image globally.
