President William Ruto’s address at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York has highlighted Kenya’s efforts to attract investment and technology partnerships. The UNGA 81 session is running from September 22 to 28 under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.” Ruto’s meetings with governments, financiers and multinational businesses aim to pursue investment, technology partnerships and new markets.
One of the most closely watched engagements has been Ruto’s meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The discussions put critical minerals firmly on the agenda, with Washington saying Kenya’s mineral opportunities could position the country as a key player while creating opportunities for US companies to participate in value addition. Kenya is seeking to move beyond exporting raw minerals.
Among the resources attracting attention are niobium and rare earth elements associated with the Mrima Hill deposit in Kwale County. Kenya also produces minerals such as rutile, ilmenite and zirconium. Ruto previously said Kenya and the US had agreed that minerals from Mrima Hill should be processed locally, potentially allowing Kenya to retain more value from its mineral resources instead of simply exporting raw material.
Artificial intelligence is another major thread in Kenya’s UNGA agenda. Ruto has called for African countries to have a greater role not only in using AI but also in building the infrastructure, skills and rules governing it. At a high-level meeting in New York, he argued that Africa should become a builder of technologies rather than remain dependent on systems developed elsewhere.
Kenya and Finland are advancing an AI partnership focused on investment, infrastructure and skills. Separately, Kenya has joined France, Spain and Australia in supporting work towards a global roadmap for protecting children in the age of AI. The Kenya-US discussions have also explored AI applications in healthcare, education and financial services.
Finance is a broader economic theme tying the agenda together. At the Kenya-European Union Partnership for Multilateralism Summit, Ruto argued that Africa already has substantial domestic savings and assets but lacks mechanisms to channel enough of that capital into development. His message has been that Africa should mobilise more of its own capital while also reforming international financial institutions and attracting private investment.
One of the most concrete announcements from Ruto’s New York meetings is the proposed East Africa Refinery in Lamu. The President met Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote and Africa Finance Corporation CEO Samaila Zubairu to discuss financing and preparations for the project. The project is estimated by the Kenyan government at about Sh2.2 trillion ($17 billion) and is designed for a reported capacity of 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
Key points
- Kenya is seeking investment, technology partnerships and new markets at UNGA 81.
- Critical minerals, AI and energy are key areas of focus for Kenya at UNGA 81.
- Kenya wants partnerships tied to local processing, skills, infrastructure and value addition.
