President Ruto Travels to the US for the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit

President Ruto left the country on Monday evening for the United States to attend the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit, which will be hosted by President Biden in Washington, DC.

The three-day summit between December 13th and 15th offers an opportunity for African leaders to shape the continent’s partnership with the US in trade, the economy, security and political relations, among other areas.

“The priority is to scale up measures that support resilience and recovery from the effects of Covid-19, and the climate crisis that has seen the continent suffer disproportionate consequences,” State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said in a press release.

Mohamed said Ruto will deliver a statement on “The Future of Africa’s Trade and Investment Relations with the United States,” and also address the summit on partnering in Agenda 2063, specifically on A Peaceful and Secure Africa.

He will also push for the conclusion of the Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership Agreement with the US, as well as support African countries’ bid to expand US-Africa trade relations through the renewal of AGOA.

In addition, the president will engage the private sector, pitching for expanded trade and investment partnerships, improved access for Kenyan products to the US market, and the creation of jobs and other opportunities for Kenyans. He is also expected to meet a group of Kenyans in the diaspora.

The US-Africa Leaders’ Summit aims to serve as a demonstration of the Biden administration’s commitment to the African continent and provide a forum for new joint initiatives between the US and countries in Africa, according to the organizers.

It will include new initiatives to increase US engagement with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as well as initiatives to boost the continent’s recovery from COVID-19, bolster food security and promote investment in infrastructure, health and renewable energy projects, among other priorities. 

The forum will also include interactions with the civil society, multilateral meetings between President Biden and African Heads of state, secretary and cabinet-level meetings for trade, energy and diplomacy, and a collection of industry-focused meetings under the purviews of the US-Africa Business Forum.