President William Ruto has urged the United States to cease seeing Kenya and Africa as destinations for manufactured goods but as destinations for investment opportunities.
The head of state made the call while addressing ‘The Future of Africa’s Trade and Investment’ US-Africa summit, saying the current economic partnership needs a review since it is a detriment to Africa.
In a statement made by the presidency, Ruto also took the opportunity to root for Kenya’s investment potential, urging the US and other African leaders present to take advantage of the Kenyan market.
Read: List Of Deals President Ruto Bagged From His US Visit
The president later held a meeting with senior corporate executives at Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Management, with the discussion majoring on increasing the potential of Konza technopolis.
Other commitments made during the meeting, according to the office of the president, include;
Commitment to work with Kenya to advance space technology.
Commitment to collaborate towards the establishment of robust Kenya Creative Industries.
Commitments to work with Kenya towards Climate Innovations / Carbon Removal Collaborations and carbon trading technologies/carbon markets.
Commitment on mobilizing the network to extend research for the ethical and responsible deployment of ocean-based Carbon Dioxide Reduction.
Commitments on Direct air capture, Carbon Products, and waste-to-energy solutions.
Commitment to Host the Kauffman Fellow Africa Venture Capital Summit in Kenya Sept 2023, bringing 300 of the world’s top venture capitalists to Nairobi.
Read: Inside Ruto’s Plan To Create Job Opportunities For Youths Through Tech
On a separate meeting during his US tour, President Ruto also met Kenyans living in the US and promised to support them fully through the newly founded state department for diaspora matters under the ministry of foreign affairs.
“The government recognizes the role played by Kenyans in the diaspora to the economy. The remittances to families and interests back home have become the country’s biggest source of foreign exchange,” said President Ruto.
“This contribution to our development is tremendous. We will promote and safeguard the interests of the Kenyan Community abroad for our mutual benefit.”
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