President William Ruto is set to depart for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Sunday to attend the second Africa Climate Summit, a high-level gathering of Heads of State and Government focused on driving the continent’s leadership in climate action and green growth.
During the summit, Ruto will also witness the signing of key agreements, among them the Cooperation Framework for the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII).
The agreement will bring together African governments, financiers, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, and private sector partners to fast-track sustainable industrialisation, according to a statement from State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed.
President Ruto’s departure to Addis Ababa marks his third international trip within three months, following recent visits to Seville, Spain, and London, England, where he advanced Kenya’s case on investment, trade, and global partnerships.
It will also be his third visit to Ethiopia this year. He first travelled to Addis Ababa in February for the 38th African Union Summit before making a second trip in July to attend the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake.
The President, while on his trip to the neighbouring nation, is expected to push for key multilateral engagements on fair resource valuation, equitable carbon pricing, and financial reforms to ease debt and climate risks.
''As chair of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), the President will also engage in climate finance talks to unlock investment and amplify Africa's role in shaping global reforms,'' a statement from State House Spokesperson read in part.
Ruto is also expected to address the Africa-CARICOM (Caribbean Community) Summit on reparatory justice, debt sustainability, and transcontinental cooperation, alongside bilateral meetings to strengthen ties and expand trade.
The Africa-CARICOM (Caribbean Community) coordinates key issues, among them the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti, where over 800 Kenyan security personnel are deployed.
During his trip, the Head of State will be the chief guest at the inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which is an important power generator and interconnector between Kenya and Ethiopia.
Kenya will use the opportunity to seek to enhance access to provide additional grid power to its industrial parks and other important investments.
''Together with the Kenya-Tanzania interconnector, these regional links enhance power trade, improve grid stability, and advance East Africa's integration through shared renewable energy. With peak demand in Kenya now above 2,392MW and rising, the added capacity is vital for powering special economic zones, industrial parks, ICT hubs, and agro-processing.''
