President William Ruto of Kenya on Monday urged African leaders to take decisive steps toward realizing the full potential of Agenda 2063, a vision aimed at transforming Africa into a global powerhouse of sustainable development.
“The success of Agenda 2063 depends not on chance or hope, but on choice, resolve, and relentless implementation,” President Ruto said.
He emphasized that Africa’s future is in the hands of its leaders, and only through strong leadership, effective governance, and clear action can the continent unlock its transformative potential.
Speaking during the 42nd Session of the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee, which was chaired by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt, President Ruto stressed the importance of mobilizing resources and strengthening governance frameworks.
“Let us mobilize resources, strengthen governance, and forge partnerships that drive tangible results for the people of Africa,” he urged.
The Kenyan President highlighted the urgent need to enhance the implementation of Agenda 2063 at the national level, calling on African nations to establish robust AUDA-NEPAD offices to facilitate seamless execution, tracking, and reporting.
“I call upon the AUDA-NEPAD continental secretariat to enhance the capacity of national offices, ensuring that vision translates into impact and ambition materializes into achievement,” President Ruto added.
President Ruto also emphasized that good governance is key to managing the African Union Development Fund effectively.
“Good intentions alone will not deliver results; only sound governance, strategic oversight, and collective responsibility will,” he said, underscoring the necessity of integrity, efficiency, and foresight in driving the agenda forward.
Addressing the continent’s infrastructure financing challenges, the President urged African countries to explore innovative financial solutions.
He pointed out that the financial deficit facing key infrastructure projects like the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa and the Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative is a major barrier to the continent’s growth.
“This deficit is the barrier that slows our integration, deters investment, and stifles trade,” he stated.
On a positive note, President Ruto announced that the first three berths at the Lamu Port in Kenya are now complete and fully operational.
“I invite you all to utilize this new gateway for your shipping needs and be part of this transformative journey,” he said, highlighting the port as a key part of Africa’s broader infrastructural development.
In addition, President Ruto urged African nations to translate their commitments under the Kampala Declaration on agriculture into tangible actions.
He called for increased investment in agriculture that leads to real impact and prosperity for the continent.
“Let us turn our commitments into action, investments into impact, and policies into prosperity,” he declared.
Further, the President called on Africa’s leadership to embrace climate-resilient growth by prioritizing sustainable energy, climate-smart agriculture, and bold climate change mitigation measures.
“AUDA-NEPAD’s role in supporting climate adaptation is indispensable, and we must forge strategic partnerships to combat this existential threat,” he said.
Lastly, President Ruto underscored the importance of the Energise Africa Initiative in empowering the youth and fostering economic growth.
“Growth that is not inclusive is not real growth, just as progress that benefits only a few is not the progress Africa needs,” he concluded.
The initiative, a key component of Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, aims to ignite opportunities, fuel enterprise, and create jobs for young people across the continent.
