Tánaiste to visit Kenya and Ethiopia

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin T.D. will begin a four day visit to the Horn of Africa today. The Tánaiste will visit Kenya and Ethiopia where he will meet with political leaders and see the impact of Ireland’s development assistance programme and growing trade links in both countries.

The Tánaiste will meet with Kenya’s President William Ruto in Nairobi on Tuesday morning. He will then meet with students taking part in Young Scientist Kenya, a programme supported by Ireland to encourage STEM education, before officiating at the regional launch of Ireland’s Horn of Africa Child Wasting Programme, which covers Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia.

On Wednesday the Tánaiste will take part in a number of trade, development and Irish community events before travelling to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. While in Ethiopia he will meet with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and a number of development partners. He will also host a reception to mark 30 years of Ireland’s diplomatic presence in Ethiopia.

Speaking ahead of the visit, the Tánaiste said:

“This is a significant visit to strengthen Ireland’s economic, political and development ties with two important African countries. I look forward to meeting with President Ruto and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to discuss a range of issues, including regional security and global crises, including conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan. It is important that Ireland and Europe continue to strengthen our engagement and links across Africa. Ireland’s Africa Strategy highlights our commitment to building political, trade, cultural and people-to-people links across the continent. This visit is an important component of that ongoing work.

“Ireland has a proud legacy in the Horn of Africa and that continues through the work of the Irish Aid programme and our NGO partners operating in the region. While the impact of climate change and conflict is threatening the lives and livelihoods of many people in the region, there are also critical opportunities to build peace and bolster innovation and development. I look forward to meeting with political, humanitarian and development partners to discuss how Ireland can continue to contribute to this. I also look forward also to meeting with members of the Irish community who continue to play an important role in both countries.”

Notes for editors:

• Over the last five years, Ireland has provided over €415 million in bilateral funding to partners in the Horn of Africa working to provide humanitarian and long-term development assistance to vulnerable populations (primarily in Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan and Kenya), as well as providing support for conflict resolution and actions to counter the impact of climate change.

• At the height of the Horn food and drought crisis in 2022, Ireland’s bilateral investment in the region reached €102m. Last year Ireland spent over €85 million in the Horn.

ENDS

16 July 2024

Press Office