Kenyan President William Ruto has called on the world to rethink its relationship with Africa, arguing that the continent should no longer be viewed primarily as a recipient of aid, but as a strategic partner with vast resources, markets, energy potential, food production capacity and investment opportunities.
Speaking at the United Nations, Ruto said Africa was coming to international discussions with a vision of shared economic growth and development, rather than continuing to approach the world primarily in search of assistance.
“Distinguished leaders, Africa is not here to ask. We are here with an idea. This is not who we are anymore, because we have the capacity and we have something to offer,” Ruto said.
For decades, Africa’s engagement with the international community has largely focused on aid, debt relief and calls for greater representation in global institutions.
Ruto said the continent’s growing economic potential has changed the situation, arguing that Africa should no longer be treated as a region dependent on handouts, but as an equal participant in decisions concerning its resources and development.
He pointed to Africa’s abundant mineral resources, significant agricultural potential, rapidly expanding renewable energy sector and young population, alongside a market of more than 1.5 billion people.
“Our continent has abundant mineral resources, enormous agricultural potential, extraordinary renewable energy resources and the youngest population anywhere in the world. We are a market of more than 1.5 billion people,” he said.
Ruto argued that Africa’s natural resources should no longer be treated simply as raw materials for export, but should instead form the foundation for industrial development on the continent.
“Africa is not a problem for the world to solve. Africa is the solution the world is looking for,” he said.
Africa holds many of the minerals needed to manufacture batteries, solar energy equipment and electric vehicles. Ruto said the continent should seek to retain a larger share of the value generated from these resources by developing its own industries and processing capacity.
He cited Kenya’s plans to develop an oil refinery in Lamu as an example of investment aimed at adding value to Africa’s resources.
According to Ruto, the refinery would have the capacity to process 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day and would require an estimated investment of $16 billion.
The Kenyan president also called for an end to the assumption that Africa must rely heavily on foreign capital to achieve economic development.
He said more than $4 trillion is held in African pension funds, insurance companies, banks and other financial institutions, arguing that mechanisms should be established to channel more of this capital into infrastructure, manufacturing and energy projects.
“Africa has 54 countries and nearly one in five people in the world lives on this continent, yet African countries continue to have a limited voice in decisions governing international lending, the cost of debt servicing and the rules of the global financial system,” Ruto said.
“We cannot continue to have major responsibilities in a system while having a limited role in determining its rules,” he added.
KIGALI TIMES