President William Ruto departed for New York, United States, Saturday for the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where he will advance Kenya’s investment drive, unlock more African and global capital, and strengthen Africa’s role in shaping the global digital and AI economy.
The President will seek partnerships across energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, health, agriculture and technology to create jobs, expand productive capacity and open new markets.
He will co-chair roundtables hosted by the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) alongside industrialist Aliko Dangote.
A key focus of the meeting will be the planned Sh2.2 trillion ($17 billion) East Africa Refinery in Lamu, a 700,000-barrel-a-day project expected to create more than 60,000 jobs and strengthen regional energy security.
The project is set to break ground on September 30, 2026.
On Artificial Intelligence, President Ruto and President Alexander Stubb of Finland will
co-lead the AI Middle Powers Initiative, enabling countries to combine computing resources, data and talent to build AI 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 and to position the continent as a builder and producer across the AI value chain.
He will also sign a global declaration and roadmap on child online AI safety alongside leaders from Spain, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, and launch an Africa Resilience Compact using AI, satellite earth observation and predictive technologies to strengthen preparedness for El Niño and other climate shocks.
At the Next Sh3 Billion convening, President Ruto will position Kenya as a regional technology, trade and finance hub. Kenya moved Sh41.68 trillion through M-Pesa in a single year while platforms such as Ziidi Trader are extending digital access from payments to investment and ownership.
Kenya will also advance National Basketball Association partnerships to expand sporting
infrastructure and opportunities for Kenyan youth.
In his UN General Assembly address, the President will champion an Africa-financing-Africa approach.
With Africa holding more than $4 trillion in domestic savings and assets, Kenya will call for reforms and international guarantees to unlock more African capital for infrastructure and enterprise.
It will also highlight its National Infrastructure Fund, designed to mobilise up to $40 billion without adding to public debt, and advance Africa’s call for greater
representation in global institutions.
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, President Ruto will engage Heads of State and Government, multilateral institutions and global corporations to expand trade, investment and diplomatic cooperation. He will also engage Kenyan diaspora in the United States as the Government advances a Diaspora Investment Platform to channel diaspora capital into productive investment at home.
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