Sierra Leone's Minister for Foreign Affairs David Francis and President Julius Maada Bio, and Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo. Photo courtesy of State House, Nairobi.

At least seven Memorandums of Understanding have been signed between Kenya and Sierra Leone. This took place during President Julius Bio's recent state visit to Kenya when he met his Kenyan counterpart, President Uhuru Kenyatta, to discuss bilateral relations.

The agreements include the formation of a Joint Commission for Cooperation and MoUs in Political and Diplomatic Consultations, Trade and Investment, Wildlife Tourism Cooperation, Gender Equality and Women Empowerment, Culture and Arts Cooperation, and Youth Affairs Cooperation.

President Bio was accompanied by a delegation of government officials and the private sector.

Sierra Leone can profit from Kenya's trade and business investments because it is an economic powerhouse in East and Central Africa.

Trade between the two nations is negligible, with the trade balance favoring Kenya. The two countries are counting on their rekindled connections to boost trade which is currently low with the balance of trade at KSh 80.4 million.

Kenya exports medicants, printed matter, tea and mate, textiles, paper, cosmetics, and electronics to Sierra Leone.

Base metal ores and concentrates, bearings, furniture, and TV receiver parts are among Kenya's key imports from Sierra Leone.