President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya met with United States President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington on Monday, in a visit focused on boosting trade and continued security cooperation.

“We’ve had strong relations that stretch back – all the way back to our own independence. And we are here to cement that partnership. We are here to strengthen the support we have received as a country, especially with regards to our security and defense cooperation,” Kenyatta said.

Kenyatta announced USD$238 million worth of projects in Kenya, including the financing for the construction and operation of a 100-megawatt wind power facility south of Nairobi. He witnessed the signing of an agreement with the U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and Kipeto Wind Energy Company, part of an OPIC vision to invest $1 billion in African infrastructure and technology. 

“The plant will provide a more reliable source of energy to the national grid and support the U.S. Power Africa Initiative to double the number of people in sub-Saharan Africa with access to electric power,” Kenyatta’s office said.

An additional $5 million came from a group of U.S. business executives who agreed to support Kenya’s Twiga Foods expansion, and improve food security and agribusiness.

“Kenya is open for business and all we want to do is package our partnership in a way that it is mutually beneficial to you as a private sector and the people of Kenya,” Kenyatta said, emphasizing key sectors in manufacturing, food security, housing and health care.

Kenyatta is the third African leader to meet with Trump, following Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sissi’s visit last year and President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria’s visit in April.

Images: President Uhuru Kenyatta