Ruto Heads to UN : 8 Key Issues on the Agenda

President William Ruto has departed for New York, United States, for the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where he will push Kenya’s investment agenda, promote artificial intelligence and advance Africa’s role in global financing.

According to a September 19 press release from State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, Ruto will seek to attract more African and global capital while strengthening Africa’s position in the digital and AI economy.

The President will seek partnerships in energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, health, agriculture and technology.

State House said the partnerships will focus on efforts to “create jobs, expand productive capacity and open new markets.”

Ruto will co-chair roundtables hosted by the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) alongside industrialist Aliko Dangote.

A key focus of the meetings will be the planned Ksh2.2 trillion ($17 billion) East Africa Refinery in Lamu. The 700,000-barrel-a-day project is expected to create more than 60,000 jobs and strengthen regional energy security.

According to the notice, the project is scheduled to break ground on September 30, 2026.

Ruto and Finland President to Lead AI Initiative

Artificial intelligence will also feature prominently during Ruto’s engagements in New York. Ruto and Finnish President Alexander Stubb will co-lead the AI Middle Powers Initiative.

The initiative will enable countries to combine computing resources, data and talent to build their Artificial Intelligence capabilities.

Kenya will also advance the Africa Development Bank-backed AI 10 Billion Initiative, which aims to mobilise up to $10 billion by 2035 for investment across Africa.

The notice added the initiative seeks to position Africa as a “builder and producer across the AI value chain.”

Kenya to Push Child Online AI Safety

Ruto will also sign a global declaration and roadmap on child online AI safety alongside leaders from Spain, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.

The President will further launch an Africa Resilience Compact that will use AI, satellite earth observation and predictive technologies. The initiative aims to strengthen preparedness for El Niño and other climate shocks.

Ruto to Promote Kenya as Regional Technology Hub
At the Next 3 Billion convening, he will position Kenya as a regional technology, trade and finance hub.

According to the notice,Kenya moved Ksh41.68 trillion through M-Pesa in a single year, while platforms such as Ziidi Trader are expanding digital access from payments to investment and ownership.

The country will also advance National Basketball Association (NBA) partnerships to expand sporting infrastructure and opportunities for Kenyan youth.

Also Read:Ruto Heads to US After Four-Day Tour of Nyanza

President to Push Africa-Financing-Africa Agenda

In his UN General Assembly address, Ruto will champion an “Africa-financing-Africa” approach as  Africa holds more than $4 trillion in domestic savings and assets.

The government will call for reforms and international guarantees to unlock more African capital for infrastructure and enterprise.

Ruto will also highlight Kenya’s National Infrastructure Fund, which is designed to mobilise up to $40 billion without adding to public debt. The President will also advance Africa’s call for greater representation in global institutions.

Also Read:Ruto’s Govt Slapped With 4 Demands After Museveni Exposes Fuel Brokers

The President to Meet Global Leaders and Kenyan Diaspora

On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Ruto will engage Heads of State and Government, multilateral institutions and global corporations.

The engagements will focus on expanding trade, investment and diplomatic cooperation. He will also engage Kenyans in the United States as the Government advances a Diaspora Investment Platform.

The platform is intended to channel diaspora capital into productive investment at home.

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Photo collage of President William Ruto during UN Development Programme’s Inaugural Africa Investment Partnership Forum in New York on September 21,2022
PHOTO/PCS