Kenyan president plans Atlanta stop during May U.S. state visit

Kenyan President William Ruto is about to headline a business forum at Atlanta later this month, as he visits the WE for a state visit to Washington.

Local organizers work with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry to finalize details of the business-to-business forum and executive roundtable between May 20 and 22, Global Atlanta has learned.

In a notice urging some members of the Kenyan diaspora to join Mr Ruto in White Housethe Kenyan Embassy in Washington said a “diaspora engagement event” was planned in Atlanta, with further details to come.

Olubunmi Jinaduthe founder of Interglobe IEGwas asked by the Kenyan Chamber to organize business meetings on the ground around the presidential visit.

Mr. Jinadu, who has been heavily involved in Africa-focused initiatives around football and entertainment, has also helped catalyze the Georgia Africa Legislative Caucusa group within the state legislature that advances economic ties with the continent.

Involving the diaspora, he said, is key to helping Americans overcome cultural differences that can arise when seeking business opportunities in countries like Kenya.

“Involving Africans in the diaspora is integral to advancing trade initiatives, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement,” Jinadu told Global Atlanta, highlighting the opportunities offered by a new free trade area encompassing 54 countries.

State Representative. Ségun Adeyinaa Democrat from Georgia’s 110th District to Grayson and one Nigeria native, said the caucus continues its goal of fostering mutually beneficial trade relations with Africa.

Visits like that of Mr. Ruto and a visit by the Liberian president from May 10 to 13 Joseph Boakaï in Atlanta show how African leaders are targeting Georgia for trade in agriculture, technology, health and other sectors critical to the continent’s growth and development.

“A lot of people look back to their home country because you want to see that place prosper, even if you don’t go back,” said Mr. Adeyina, one of three current Nigerian-Americans serving on the State Legislature and co. -chair of the Georgia-Africa caucus. “The only way to help, especially with African countries, is to increase trade opportunities. »

In a speech to American Chamber of Commerce Business Summit at Nairobi April 24-25, U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitmanthe Silicon Valley executive turned diplomat, touched on similar themes and suggested that President Ruto was visiting Atlanta.

While emphasizing the power of the textile industry to create jobs, Ms. Whitman called Vivo Fashion Group CEO Wandia Gichuruwhich plans to open the African clothing retailer’s first store in Atlanta in May.

“And guess who will be the first visitor? The President of Kenya,” Ms. Whitman told an applauding audience in a video posted on Vivo Fashion Group’s LinkedIn page. (A transcript of Ms. Whitman’s prepared remarks on the U.S. Embassy website contained Vivo’s cry and mention of Atlanta, but did not mention the president).

During a fireside chat at the conference, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo noted that this state visit will be the first time a US president has officially hosted an African head of state since 2008.

“This is a historic opportunity and I look forward to introducing you to America’s private sector and Congress,” Ms. Raimondo told the President and Ms. Whitman. “Because I think you’re going to knock their socks off and really open their eyes to all the opportunities that there are here in Kenya.”

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