Details of President Ruto’s Visit to Ethiopia

File Image of president Ruto Boarding a plane

President William Ruto has departed for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to attend the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly.

In a statement issued on Friday, February 13, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said the summit will bring together African leaders to deliberate on key continental priorities.

“President William Ruto departs this afternoon for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to participate in the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly, convened amid global uncertainty and economic shifts, where leaders will set continental priorities and advance Agenda 2063,” the statement read.

During the summit, Ruto is expected to play a central role in advancing institutional reforms within the continental body and championing climate action.

“As AU Champion for Institutional Reform, President Ruto will present a progress report on strengthening the Union's effectiveness, credibility, and financial sustainability.He will also chair the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) and table its report, reinforcing Africa's common position on climate action, adaptation, resilience, and climate finance,” the statement added.

The President will also lead discussions aimed at deepening trade ties across the continent through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.

“The President will further chair the inaugural AfCFTA Committee meeting, underscoring Kenya's commitment to deeper regional integration and expanded intra-African trade,” the statement continued.

On the sidelines of the summit, Ruto is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with various leaders to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, health, and security.

“On the margins of the Summit, President Ruto will hold bilateral engagements to advance partnerships in trade, investment, health, and security, and mobilise support for Kenya's national transformation agenda, spanning infrastructure, agro-industrial development supported by expanded irrigation, and energy security,” the statement concluded.

The trip comes about two weeks after Ruto held talks with United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau during his official visit to Kenya.

In a statement dated January 29, Ruto said the discussions centred on shared bilateral and regional priorities between Kenya and the US. He described the relationship as stable and grounded in mutual respect and shared interests.

“Met United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, who is on a two-day visit to Kenya, at State House Nairobi. We discussed various bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest.

“Reaffirmed our commitment to strengthening our already excellent relationship with the US, built on mutual respect and shared interests,” he said.

A key highlight of the meeting was cooperation in the health sector under the Kenya-US Health Cooperation Framework valued at Ksh208 billion.

“We noted last year's Ksh208 billion Kenya-US Health Cooperation Framework, the first in the world under the America First Global Health Strategy, and pointed out that it is a signature example of the excellent ties between our two countries and governments,” the president added.

Ruto said the agreement marked a shift from traditional aid models by strengthening direct government-to-government collaboration.

“The agreement is a government-to-government deal that is a major shot in the arm for the delivery of our universal healthcare programme and bypasses traditional NGO intermediaries,” he stated.

On trade, Ruto noted that bilateral commerce between Kenya and the US remains balanced and mutually beneficial.

“In 2024, Kenya exported goods worth 737 million dollars to the US, while the US bought goods worth 771 million dollars from Kenya,” he said, adding that the partnership offers strong opportunities for private sector growth.

He also underscored the importance of the African Growth and Opportunity Act in expanding Kenya’s access to the US market.

“The African Growth and Opportunity Act, through which thousands of African goods and products enter the US market duty-free and quota-free, has been significant in increased trade from Kenya and other countries from our continent,” he stated.