Ruto heads to France for G7 summit to push for Africa investment, AI equity reforms

State House, in a statement on Monday, said President Ruto received a personal invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron, adding that the invite reflects Kenya's growing influence in global affairs and its role in advancing the interests of Africa and the Global South on the international stage.

At the summit, the President will share the table with some of the world's most powerful leaders, among them United States President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as well as senior European Union officials and invited partner nations.

Ruto is expected to present Africa's common position as shaped during last month's Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, which laid out the continent's priorities on economic transformation, financial reform, climate action and digital development. 

According to State House, he will use the platform to press for reforms to the global financial architecture and call for expanded access to affordable capital, with a focus on unlocking growth and job creation across the continent.

He is also expected to champion stronger partnerships in trade, infrastructure, energy, climate resilience and innovation, while calling for greater international cooperation to support sustainable development.

Artificial intelligence is set to feature prominently in the discussions. 

Ruto is expected to outline Africa's position on the governance and deployment of emerging technologies and push for equitable access to AI tools, as well as increased investment in digital infrastructure, data centres and skills development to ensure the continent is not left behind in the rapidly evolving digital economy.

On the sidelines, the President is expected to meet OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman and representatives from leading global technology firms. 

The engagements are aimed at positioning Kenya as a regional innovation hub and unlocking technology-driven opportunities for young people.

Ruto will also hold a series of bilateral meetings with heads of state and government, with talks expected to cover manufacturing, renewable energy, infrastructure, agribusiness, housing, healthcare, digital services and value-added exports, as well as investment prospects under the National Infrastructure Fund.

State House said the President's participation is expected to strengthen Kenya's economic diplomacy agenda, unlock new investment opportunities and reinforce the country's position as a gateway to Africa.

The latest trip comes just days after Ruto concluded a multi-country tour that took him through Tanzania, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Belgium, Norway and Finland, where engagements centred on trade, investment attraction and deepening bilateral ties with strategic partners..