President William Ruto has called for Africa to be given equitable and permanent representation on the UN Security Council, with the same privileges and prerogatives attached to permanent membership. Addressing the General Debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Ruto said Africa could no longer remain on the margins of institutions that make decisions affecting global peace, security, and development. He emphasized that the UN has transformed the world by advancing peace, self-determination, and human progress.
Ruto also turned his attention to the global financial system, arguing that developing countries were paying too much to access capital while debt servicing was eating into money needed for development. He said developing countries needed greater access to affordable, long-term capital, guarantees, and risk-sharing instruments to finance development. The President’s speech capped a busy tour that began on September 20, when he arrived in New York with an agenda centred on investment, trade, technology, energy, and Kenya’s role in global affairs.
During his tour, Ruto sought to position Kenya as a destination for African and global capital while pushing for greater African participation in the digital and artificial intelligence economy. He said Kenya was working to develop instruments that could channel domestic savings into power, transport, and industry. The President also backed the creation of a Kenya Diaspora Impact Platform to connect Kenyans abroad with investment and development opportunities at home.
One of the early engagements focused on Kenya’s diaspora, with the President signing a Joint Declaration of Intent on the platform with the government, United Nations in Kenya, and Equity Group Holdings. The platform is expected to support MSMEs, enterprise creation, community projects, and skills transfer. Ruto added that the diaspora is a vital part of Kenya’s growth story, not only through remittances but also through investment, expertise, innovation, and global networks.
Ruto also made a case for Africa to rely more heavily on its own capital, stating that African countries had accumulated significant domestic savings but lacked financial instruments capable of directing the money into productive investments. At an Africa We Build high-level roundtable, he said African domestic capital pools had surpassed $4 trillion. The President then discussed the planned East Africa refinery in Lamu with Dangote Industries president Aliko Dangote and Africa Finance Corporation CEO Samaila Zubairu.
The President held talks with various leaders, including UN Office on Drugs and Crime Executive Director Monica Juma, ICRC president Mirjana Spoljaric, and Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker. These discussions centred on humanitarian cooperation, cybercrime, maritime crime, border control, and drug abuse. Ruto also co-chaired a High-Level AI Middle Powers Coalition meeting with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, warning against Africa becoming dependent on technologies developed elsewhere.
The tour, which focused on positioning Kenya as a destination for investment and promoting African participation in the digital economy, concluded with Ruto emphasizing the need for Africa to shape its own future in the AI era. He said Kenya was pursuing structured bilateral labour agreements with other countries, including Austria, to open new pathways for young people. The President’s engagements in New York highlighted Kenya’s role in global affairs and its potential as a hub for African and global capital.
Key points
- Ruto calls for Africa to have equitable and permanent representation on the UN Security Council.
- The President pushes for greater access to affordable capital for developing countries.
- Ruto promotes Kenya as a destination for African and global capital.
