President William Ruto has called on G7 leaders and international partners to forge equitable partnerships with Africa, urging a shift from raw material extraction to value addition and industrial development across the continent.
Speaking during the G7+ working session on “Reviving a Balanced and Shared Growth for All” in Evian, France, Ruto said Africa is poised to become a major engine of global economic growth, noting that six of the world’s fastest-growing economies are on the continent.
He emphasized that Africa’s vast reserves of critical minerals and its rapidly expanding workforce present significant opportunities for investment, manufacturing, and innovation.
However, he argued that exporting raw materials without local processing is an outdated model that denies the continent its full economic potential.
The President urged global partners to support mineral processing, industrialization, and job creation within Africa.
He added that such collaboration would strengthen global supply chains, expand markets, and deliver shared prosperity.
“My message to the G7 is clear: pay attention to Africa. The future of global growth will be shaped in Africa,” Ruto said.
He called for partnerships based on mutual respect, sovereign equality, and shared value.
