Fair trade and equal partnerships: only then can Kenya stand on its own
Several media outlets, including de Volkskrant, focused last week on the shift from “aid” to “trade,” partly in response to the state visit of the Dutch royal couple to Kenya. The idea is that it would be beneficial for Kenya to stand on its own two feet. A beautiful ideal—one I whole heartedly believe in. But this ideal can only become a reality if equality is at the heart of trade and international cooperation.
Currently, however, global trade is far from equal. It’s a playing field heavily tilted in favor of wealthy multinationals—mainly from Europe and the United States—who profit often at the expense of local communities, small businesses, and the environment in countries like Kenya. Take the flower industry, for example. Much of it has shifted from the Netherlands to Kenya and other East African countries. In this industry, workers—especially women—are exploited. Meanwhile, scarce regional water sources are drying up, the environment is polluted with massive amounts of harmful pesticides, and less land and clean water remain available for local farming families to grow food. The damage is felt locally, while the profits largely benefit Dutch companies.
Another example is the seed trade in food production. Many farmers—including in Kenya—have long harvested, exchanged, and reused seeds in a centuries-old system that benefits farmers, food production, and biodiversity. The use of commercial seeds developed by multinational seed companies is at odds with this traditional seed system. Due to intellectual property rights, farmers are often prohibited from integrating these seeds into their traditional systems. This creates dependency on—often Dutch—seed companies and frequently forces farmers to take on risky loans to purchase new seeds.
We also won’t solve global issues like the climate and biodiversity crises through current unequal trade practices. To tackle those challenges, we need not only fair trade, but also international cooperation—or what the Dutch government now mistakenly labels as "development aid." This is not one-sided “aid,” but rather a partnership in which different parties learn from each other within international networks, and where the realities and interests of local communities (such as in Kenya) form the foundation for creating a fairer, more sustainable trade system and a just climate policy.
Fortunately, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima also witnessed this part of the relationship between the Netherlands and Kenya. Their program included a visit to the Thogoto Forest, where the local organisation MCDI, together with others, works on nature conservation, agroecology, and ecotourism. Our collaboration with MCDI—funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs—has led to farmers in the region adopting more sustainable agricultural practices. By organising themselves, they’ve created a larger market for their products and their cooperative is now financially self-sufficient. This project is a clear example of how international cooperation can foster sustainable socioeconomic development.
International companies also benefit from fair trade relationships. Business federations like VNO-NCW and entrepreneurs’ association Evofenedex support the interplay between international cooperation and fair trade. They understand that by narrowly focusing on national self-interest, the current Dutch government is ultimately shooting itself in the foot. As economist Célestin Monga recently said in an interview with NRC: “Western countries have nothing to gain from Africa’s underdevelopment. Problems in Africa—such as terrorism, conflict, and disease—inevitably have consequences for Europe and beyond.” To foster development, Monga advocates for promoting fair and equitable trade relationships with Africa. Sadly, the Dutch government seems to be discarding this sense of equality altogether.
As long as political and economic power in the world remains so unequally distributed, deepening collaboration with organisations and communities in the Global South is more necessary than ever. That is exactly what we at Both ENDS and our partner organizations will continue to do—with full conviction.
This op-ed was originally published in Dutch by Joop.nl
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