Kenya: President William Samoei Ruto urged all African leaders to take bold and decisive action in need to accelerate the realisation of Agenda 2063. He said that the leadership of the continent has the responsibility to shape the trajectory of the sustainable development of the continent by domesticating, implementing and championing Agenda 2063.
Ruto explained that the programme holds the potential to uplift individual nations and also to transform Africa as a whole. He said, “The success of Agenda 2063 depends not on chance or hope, but on choice, to resolve and relentless the implementation.”
He stated, “Let us mobilise resources, that strengthen governance and forge partnerships which drive tangible results for the people of Africa.”
President of Kenya shared his remarks during the virtual session of the 42nd African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee on Monday, Feb 17, 2025.
The meeting was chaired by the President – Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt. Presidents from other regions of the African continent were also present at the gathering.
President William Samoei Ruto called on African nations to establish and strengthen the national AUDA-NEPAD offices, in order to ensure the seamless execution, tracking and reporting of Agenda 2063.
He invited the AUDA-NEPAD continental secretariat to enhance the capacity of national offices, ensuring that their vision translates into impact and their ambition materialises into achievement.
The President further emphasised the need for good governance in managing the African Union Development Fund. He added that integrity, efficiency and foresight are essential for success and driving the vital Agenda 2063.
According to President Ruto, “Good intentions alone will not deliver the results, only sound governance, strategic oversight and collective responsibility will.”
The President called for bold and innovative financing solutions that went beyond the tradition to address the financial challenges of facing infrastructure development across the continent.
He noted that the great grand ambitions under the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa and the Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative is facing a crippling financing deficit that hinders the growth of Africa.
Ruto further added to his statement that the deficit is the barrier that slows the integration, deters investment and stifles trade. He told the meeting that the first three berths of the Lamu Port are now complete and fully operational. “I invite you all to utilise the new gateway for shipping needs and become a part of this transformative journey,” said the President of Kenya while inviting everyone.
President Ruto urged the African Nations, who have adopted the Kampala Declaration on agriculture to translate their commitments into action, investments, as well as to impact and policies into prosperity. He also encouraged the leaders of the different countries of the continent to champion green, climate-resilience growth by giving priority to sustainable energy, climate-smart agriculture and bold mitigation measures.
As per President Ruto, “role of AUDA-NEPAD in supporting climate adaptation is indispensable and they must forge strategic partnerships to combat this existential threat.”
Considering the energy resources, William Samoei Ruto said that the Energise Africa Initiative is designed to ignite opportunities. This will also fuel enterprise and power job creation, particularly for the youth, making it catalytic, inclusive and transformational.
He noted that the initiative embodies the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda of Kenya, which empowers individuals at the grassroots to shape their own economic future. He said that the real growth is inclusive, just as progress it benefits only a few, which is not the kind of progress Africa needs.