NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 16 – President William Ruto has challenged G7 leaders to support Africa through investment guarantees and affordable financing aimed at accelerating housing, healthcare, job creation and economic transformation across the continent.
Speaking during engagements with global leaders at the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, President Ruto urged advanced economies to move beyond aid and instead create mechanisms that lower the cost of capital for African countries.
The President said Africa’s biggest challenge is not a lack of opportunity, but the high cost of borrowing that continues to limit investment in critical sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, manufacturing and affordable housing.
Ruto held talks with United States President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other world leaders on the sidelines of the summit, where global economic growth, security and development financing dominated discussions.
He called on wealthy nations and international financial institutions to provide investment guarantees that would de-risk projects in Africa and unlock billions of dollars in private sector financing.
According to the President, such support would help African governments create jobs for millions of young people, expand universal healthcare systems and deliver affordable housing at scale while reducing dependence on expensive commercial loans.
Ruto also pushed for reforms to the global financial system, arguing that African countries continue to face unfair lending conditions despite contributing minimally to global crises such as climate change.
“The future of global growth is tied to Africa’s success,” the President said, emphasizing the continent’s youthful population, vast natural resources and growing consumer market.
Kenya has increasingly positioned itself as a leading voice in calls for a fairer international financial architecture, climate financing reforms and increased private sector investment in emerging economies.
The G7 summit brought together leaders from major advanced economies including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan, alongside invited partner nations and international organizations.
