President William Ruto has expressed his belief in Africa’s potential to achieve a more integrated, prosperous, and stable future. He emphasized the need for Africa to drive its own development, relying on its people, leaders, and resources. President Ruto highlighted the importance of reforming the African Union (AU) as a starting point. He lamented the continent’s continued dependence on external funding for its agenda, stressing the urgency of freeing the AU from these constraints and utilizing internally-generated resources.
Speaking at the Fifth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the AU, Regional Economic Communities, Regional Mechanisms, and African Union Member States at the UN Complex in Gigiri, Nairobi County, President Ruto voiced his concern over the fact that more than 60 percent of AU programs are financed by overseas partners. He argued that such chronic dependence on external funding contradicts the Pan-African movement’s aspiration for sovereignty.
During the session, attended by several African leaders, including Presidents Azali Assoumani (Comoros), Ali Bongo (Gabon), Abdel Fattah (Egypt), Macky Sall (Senegal), Ismail Guelleh (Djibouti), and Bola Tinubu (Nigeria), as well as African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki, President Ruto highlighted the unstoppable nature of African integration. He emphasized the transformative potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which will bring together 54 countries and become the world’s largest free-trade area. The President predicted that this single market would uplift 30 million people out of extreme poverty and boost incomes.
President Ruto also referenced the success of COP27 in Egypt, noting that it demonstrated Africa’s ability to speak with one voice and contribute to global development and climate action.
