President William Ruto is set to embark on an official visit to Beijing this evening, leading Kenya’s delegation to the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit.
The high-profile summit will convene African Heads of State, Chinese leadership, and officials from the African Union Commission to reinforce and enhance the Sino-African relationship.
The FOCAC Summit, themed “Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future,” aims to create synergies between African nations and China, fostering industrial growth and socio-economic development.
President Ruto will play a pivotal role as co-chair of a session on “Pursuing High-Quality Belt and Road Initiative Cooperation,” focusing on collaborative modernization and strategic planning.
Kenya’s integral partnership in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) underscores its commitment to transformative infrastructure development. Notable projects include the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), the Nairobi Expressway, the Kipevu Oil Terminal, and various bypasses in Nairobi.
During his northeastern visit, President Ruto is expected to engage in several critical meetings aimed at enhancing Kenya-China relations and exploring new collaborative ventures.
Key engagements include a discussion with Chinese President Xi Jinping to strengthen bilateral ties and explore potential areas of cooperation. Additionally, Ruto will meet with leaders from Senegal, Algeria, and other African nations to foster regional partnerships.
The China-Africa Entrepreneurs Conference will serve as a vital platform for exploring investment opportunities in infrastructure, health, manufacturing, ICT, e-mobility, and agriculture.
Anticipated outcomes from the FOCAC Summit include the Beijing Declaration, outlining collaborative commitments, and an action plan for bilateral cooperation spanning 2025 to 2027.
