President William Ruto will travel to New York on Sunday, September 20, for the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where he is expected to use the global platform to court investors and push Kenya’s ambitions in infrastructure, artificial intelligence, trade and energy.
A key highlight of the President’s visit will be efforts to attract support for a planned Ksh2.2 trillion ($17 billion) East Africa Refinery in Lamu, a project the government says could transform Kenya into a regional energy hub.
According to a statement from State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed on September 19, Ruto will co-chair investment roundtables organized by the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) alongside Nigerian billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote.
The refinery project is expected to process 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day, create more than 60,000 jobs and strengthen energy security across the region.
The government said groundbreaking is scheduled for September 30, 2026.
Ruto departs for New York to attend the 81st UN General Assembly, where he will also seek to attract investment into Kenya’s energy, manufacturing, agriculture, health and technology sectors.
Ruto’s AI and Investment Agenda
Beyond the refinery project, Ruto will pursue partnerships in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure as Kenya seeks to position itself as a leader in emerging technologies.
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He will co-lead the AI Middle Powers Initiative with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, a platform aimed at enabling countries to share computing resources, data and talent to accelerate AI development.
Kenya will also advance the African Development Bank-backed AI 10 Billion Initiative, which seeks to mobilize up to $10 billion (Ksh 1.3 trillion) by 2035 for artificial intelligence investments across Africa.
State House said Ruto will join leaders from Spain, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia in supporting a global declaration and roadmap on AI safety.
The President is also expected to launch the Africa Resilience Compact, which will combine artificial intelligence, satellite observation and predictive technologies to strengthen preparedness for El Niño and other climate-related shocks.
At the Next 3 Billion convening, Ruto will position Kenya as a regional technology, trade and finance hub.
State House said Kenya moved Ksh41.6 trillion through M-Pesa in a single year, while platforms such as Ziidi Trader are expanding digital access from payments to investment and ownership.
Kenya will also seek partnerships with the National Basketball Association (NBA) to expand sporting infrastructure and opportunities for young people.
Africa-Financing-Africa Drive
In his address to the UN General Assembly, Ruto will champion an Africa-financing-Africa approach, arguing that the continent should leverage domestic savings and assets to finance its own development.
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State House said Africa holds more than $4 trillion (517.6 trillion) in domestic savings and assets, which Kenya believes it can unlock through reforms and international guarantees to support infrastructure and enterprise.
The President will also promote the National Infrastructure Fund, which is designed to mobilize up to $40 billion (Ksh5.1 trillion) without increasing public debt.
Ruto is expected to use the UN gathering to advance Africa’s call for greater representation in global institutions.
On the sidelines of the assembly, he will meet with heads of state, government leaders, multilateral institutions, and global corporations to expand trade, investment, and diplomatic cooperation.
The President will also engage Kenyans living in the United States as the government advances its Diaspora Investment Platform, which aims to channel diaspora capital into productive investment opportunities at home.
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PHOTO/ Dangote Group
