President William Ruto has opened the 24th COMESA Heads of State Summit in Nairobi with a resounding call for Africa to seize control of its digital future. Ruto has declared that the continent’s rise will be powered not by aid, but by innovation, integration, and technology.
Addressing leaders from across Eastern and Southern Africa, Ruto said digitalisation is now Africa’s most powerful weapon for economic transformation, urging member states to move fast and create a single digital market that drives jobs, trade, and inclusive growth.
“The nature of globalisation has made regional integration no longer optional,” Ruto told delegates at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre. “Africa’s relevance in the global marketplace will be determined by the depth and speed of its integration.”
The president said digital tools can “turn Africa’s challenges into opportunities,” citing their potential to enhance cross-border trade, streamline logistics, and empower small businesses to reach regional and global markets.
“Digital transformation is not just about technology; it is about people, jobs, and competitiveness,” he said. “We must invest in digital infrastructure, data governance, and human capacity building so that our citizens can thrive in the digital economy.”
Ruto noted that the theme of the summit — “Leveraging Digitalisation to Deepen Regional Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth” — captures Africa’s moment, saying the continent’s economic destiny now depends on its ability to innovate and cooperate.
“Across the world, nations are uniting in regional blocs to expand opportunities, share risks, and maximise collective development. We must do the same — and do it faster,” he urged.
He framed the COMESA Summit as more than a diplomatic gathering, but a turning point in Africa’s journey toward self-reliance, saying integration is the key to peace, prosperity, and industrial competitiveness.
“The ultimate goal of integration must be long-term sustainable growth, job creation, and poverty reduction. We must leave no country, no citizen behind,” Ruto said.
The Nairobi summit, attended by several African Heads of State and senior officials from the African Union and AfCFTA, marks Kenya’s growing role as a continental leader in technology-driven growth.
Read: Ruto Takes Over COMESA Chairmanship, Declares Africa’s Digital Revolution Has Begun
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