NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 29 – President William Ruto is among several African leaders in Italy’s capital, Rome, for the Italy-Africa summit, which is aimed at boosting relations between Africa and the European nation.
According to State House Spokesman Mohamed Hussein, Italy is expected to launch a “new approach” for cooperating with African countries.
“Projects formed through the collaboration between Italy and Kenya will be expedited including programmes in environmental conservation, climate change resilience, water, education, health, energy and culture,” Mohamed said.
Mohamed further stated that President Ruto is expected to deliver a speech on energy security during the summit.
“In his capacity as the Chair of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), President Ruto will deliver an address on energy security during the summit,” Mohamed stated in a press release.
In his X account, President Ruto expressed his determination to explore partnerships that will help hasten the governments’ bottom-up transformation agenda.
“We are keen on exploring partnerships that will accelerate the realization of our development agenda,” he stated on the post.
Ruto is scheduled to hold discussions with the Italy president Sergio Mattarella to promote bilateral cooperation.
The two leaders will also review agreements reached during Mattarella’s visit to Kenya in March last year and those with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Meloni stated that this approach will not be predatory, paternalistic nor charitable either.
The targeted areas for collaboration include energy, economic and infrastructure development, culture, food security and education and vocational training.
The summit, which started on yesterday, is also aimed at boosting investment in African countries as a strategy to curb irregular migration from the continent.
Several other countries have organized similar summits to strengthen ties with African countries, including Germany, Russia and China.
Since president Ruto took office in 2022 this will be his 48th trip outside Kenya.
These visits have always sparked emotions within citizens who claim it is a misuse of resources.
In his defense, the president stated that it is his mandate as he is the chief agent and ambassador of the country.
