Kenya Reaps the Benefits of Supporting Morocco’s Sovereignty over the Sahara with a Trade Deal Covering Tea and Coffee

ALDAR/

Moroccan-Kenyan relations received a fresh boost following Nairobi’s announcement of its support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara. This diplomatic shift culminated in the signing of a significant economic agreement that allows for the expansion of Kenyan tea and coffee exports to the Moroccan market.

The announcement of the agreement came during an official visit to Morocco by Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi, who held talks with Moroccan officials aimed at enhancing economic cooperation and developing a stronger partnership between the two countries.

This agreement is a direct result of Kenya’s new stance on the Moroccan Sahara issue. In September 2022, Kenya decided to withdraw its recognition of the so-called “Sahrawi Republic” and expressed its support for a mutually agreed political solution in line with Morocco’s autonomy initiative — a proposal gaining growing support across the African continent. Rabat welcomed this new Kenyan position, which opened the door to a new phase of bilateral cooperation based on shared economic interests and mutual respect.

One of the immediate outcomes of this rapprochement was the announcement of the imminent resumption of direct flights between Nairobi and several Moroccan cities — a move expected to boost tourism, trade, and investment flows between the two nations. This development comes at a time when Kenya is striving to diversify its export markets, particularly in the tea and coffee sectors, which are pillars of the Kenyan economy. Thanks to the agreement, Nairobi is looking to expand its access to the Moroccan market, where the consumption of tea and coffee is rising due to the expansion of café networks and changing consumer habits among Moroccans.

Kenya is one of the world’s leading tea producers, exporting hundreds of thousands of tons annually to various countries around the globe. Its coffee is also considered among the finest in both the African and global markets. With the new climate of bilateral relations, Morocco is expected to become a key destination for these exports. This agreement reflects the pragmatic nature of Morocco’s approach to partnerships across the continent, as Rabat seeks to build alliances rooted in development and economic integration, rather than being drawn into artificial disputes.

This Kenyan-Moroccan rapprochement is not only economic in nature but also embodies a strategic vision of strengthening ties with Africa. This has been a consistent priority of Moroccan diplomacy over the past decade under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, through bilateral agreements and major development projects that reinforce Morocco’s role as an influential African actor and reliable partner across the continent.