Speaking during the Africa Forward Summit on Tuesday in Nairobi, Ruto said Africa had reached a turning point where it must redefine its relationship with development partners and global financial institutions.
The Kenyan Head of State argued that the traditional donor-recipient framework had failed to unlock the continent’s full potential despite decades of aid and foreign assistance.
According to Ruto, African nations now possess the capacity, talent, and resources necessary to drive their own economic transformation if given fair access to financing, markets, and investment opportunities.
“Africa cannot continue sitting at the table as a junior partner,” Ruto said during his address to heads of state, investors, diplomats, and business leaders attending the summit. “The continent must be respected as an equal stakeholder in shaping the global economic future.”
The President stressed that while development assistance had played a role in supporting African economies over the years, the continent’s future would depend more on investment, trade, industrialization and innovation than on foreign aid packages.
Ruto further criticized what he described as unfair global financial structures that continue to disadvantage developing economies through high borrowing costs, limited access to credit, and restrictive financing conditions.
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He called for urgent reforms in international financial institutions to create a more balanced system that supports Africa’s growth ambitions.
The President also highlighted Africa’s youthful population, abundant natural resources, and expanding digital economy as key advantages that position the continent as a major future driver of global growth.
However, he warned that without meaningful reforms in global finance, many African countries would continue struggling with debt burdens and slow economic expansion.
During the summit, Ruto urged African governments to focus on strengthening regional trade, mobilizing domestic resources, and investing in infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology.
He noted that economic independence would only be achieved if African nations reduced overreliance on external funding and built stronger internal systems capable of sustaining development.
His remarks received support from several leaders and delegates attending the forum, many of whom echoed calls for a new global economic order that gives African nations a stronger voice in decision-making processes.
The Africa Forward Summit has brought together policymakers, investors, and development partners to discuss the continent’s economic future, investment opportunities, climate financing, and strategies for sustainable growth.
