President William Ruto has defended his international engagements and announced that he will represent Africa at the upcoming G7 Summit in France, where he intends to push for reforms aimed at unlocking the continent’s economic potential and securing more equitable global partnerships.
Speaking during a church service at Nkarusha Seventh Day Adventist Church in Kajiado County on Sunday, Ruto said Kenya’s growing participation in high-level global forums reflects the country’s rising diplomatic influence and its emerging role as a key voice for Africa on matters of trade, investment, climate action and economic development.
The president said he would travel to France this week to attend the summit, where leaders of the world’s largest economies are expected to deliberate on global growth, security, climate change and international cooperation.
Ruto said he would use the platform to advance Africa’s development priorities and advocate for a global economic system that allows the continent to fully benefit from its resources and opportunities.
“Tomorrow I will go to represent Africa at the G7 meeting,” he said.
“We want to present the agenda of Africa and discuss how the resources, land, population and potential of this continent can be used to create prosperity for Africans.”
His remarks come amid criticism from political opponents who have questioned the frequency and cost of his foreign trips.
However, the President maintained that Kenya cannot afford to remain on the sidelines of global decision-making processes, arguing that participation in international forums is essential for attracting investment, expanding trade opportunities and accelerating economic growth.
According to Ruto, Africa is increasingly shifting away from narratives centred on poverty and dependency and is instead positioning itself as a continent of opportunity, innovation and wealth creation.
He pointed to major continental gatherings hosted by Kenya, including the Africa Climate Summit and the Africa Forward Summit, as evidence of growing efforts to redefine Africa’s place in global affairs.
“This continent should stop being known for poverty, conflict and disease. We are creating a different paradigm for Africa, one that focuses on opportunity, wealth creation and development,” he said.
The President argued that Kenya’s active role in regional and international affairs has enhanced its global profile while creating opportunities for new partnerships, investment inflows and economic cooperation.
He linked the government’s diplomatic outreach to ongoing domestic reforms, saying the administration is simultaneously investing in sectors that are critical to long-term economic transformation.
Among the initiatives highlighted were increased budget allocations to agriculture and education in the 2026/27 financial year.
Ruto noted that funding for agriculture has been raised to KSh63 billion, while the education sector received KSh784 billion, reflecting the government’s focus on food security, human capital development and economic growth.
He said the country is beginning to experience the benefits of reforms introduced since 2022, including interventions aimed at lowering the cost of living, supporting farmers and improving access to quality education.
At the same time, the President emphasized that Africa’s engagement with global powers should be guided by mutual benefit rather than arrangements that disproportionately favour developed economies.
“We want relationships that benefit all sides, not arrangements that only benefit others,” he said.
Ruto’s participation in the G7 Summit comes at a time when African countries are intensifying calls for greater representation in international financial institutions, fairer global trade systems and increased climate financing to support sustainable development and economic resilience.
The summit is expected to provide an opportunity for African leaders and their partners to discuss how the continent can leverage its vast natural resources, youthful population and strategic importance to drive inclusive growth and shared prosperity.
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