President William Ruto gave a speech at the Italy-Africa Summit on Monday. He thanked Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for her practical response to global issues and for Italy's Mattei Plan, which strongly focuses on energy security for the Mediterranean region and Africa.
In his role as the Chair of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), Ruto is in attendance at the summit.
The Head of State emphasized the importance of moving away from fossil fuels and towards renewables, highlighting Kenya's pledge to increase renewable energy capacity from 3 GW to a formidable 100 GW by 2050.
Held talks with the Prime Minister of Italy @GiorgiaMeloni, Rome. pic.twitter.com/TMn94fHMu7
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) January 30, 2024Did you read this?
President Ruto called for mutually beneficial partnerships while highlighting Africa's difficulties, such as the 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa who do not have access to electricity.
"Energy security remains a distant reality for approximately 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lacking access to electricity," President Ruto said.
"This staggering number, often cited, represents half of our continent's population and exceeds the entire population of Europe by 150 million. Additionally, 1 billion Africans still lack access to clean cooking, emphasizing the urgent need to reshape our energy landscape for dignified lives and livelihoods."
In addition, he invited Italy to take part in green investments and highlighted programs like the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa and the Africa Green Industrialization Initiative.
"Africa's abundant renewable resources are key to decarbonizing and diversifying global supply chains," he added.
We laud Italy for joining Kenya in pushing for more reforms of multilateral institutions, starting with the replenishment of the World Bank's International Development Association. Italy’s approval of a new, win-win cooperation with Africa on energy will also facilitate the… pic.twitter.com/1j1rrHhOBp
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) January 30, 2024
"Additionally, the continent's rich deposits of critical materials, essential for the development of modern technologies, present a unique opportunity for collaboration with Europe."
To find new opportunities and coordinate efforts, President Ruto urged Italy to participate actively in an upcoming Investment Forum co-hosted with IRENA.
"We invite Italy to partner with us, including in the upcoming Investment Forum we will co-host with IRENA, where Italian companies and financial institutions can explore new investment opportunities and help us shape a policy and regulatory environment that works for all," President Ruto said.
Regarding debt, the President emphasized market access in light of the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and asked for Italy's support during the G7 Presidency.
With the Executive Director of the World Food Programme @WFPChief in Rome, Italy, discussed the harmonisation of our tacts to increase food production in Kenya. pic.twitter.com/vCaSMbRyQW
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) January 29, 2024
"African countries pay five times as much for our debt, driven by both real and perceived risk factors," he said.
"We must accelerate reform measures to the Global Financial Architecture, including
adjustments to debt treatment."
President Ruto acknowledged the role of gas while highlighting the importance of maintaining a sustained focus on renewables and Africa's abundance of renewable resources.
He predicted deeper ties and shared prosperity in the Italy-Africa relationship and expressed confidence at the beginning of a new era of mutually beneficial cooperation.
