NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 20 – Kenya is hoping to unlock billions of shillings in new investment, jobs and technology partnerships as President William Ruto heads to New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

📻 Breaking It Down

Ruto’s trip comes with a major economic agenda, with Kenya seeking fresh partnerships in energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, health, agriculture and technology.

At the centre of the push is the proposed Sh2.2 trillion East Africa Refinery in Lamu, which the government says could create more than 60,000 jobs and strengthen the region’s energy security.

Ruto will co-chair investment roundtables hosted by the Africa Finance Corporation and the Global Africa Business Initiative alongside Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote.

📌 What You Need to Know

The meetings are expected to provide an opportunity for Kenya to promote the Lamu refinery project ahead of its planned groundbreaking on September 30, 2026.

According to State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, the President will use the UNGA trip to push Kenya’s investment agenda and position the country as a destination for global capital.

“The President will seek partnerships across energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, health, agriculture and technology to create jobs, expand productive capacity and open new markets,” Mohamed said.

Beyond the refinery, Kenya is also seeking to position itself at the centre of Africa’s growing artificial intelligence economy.

Ruto and Finnish President Alexander Stubb will co-lead the AI Middle Powers Initiative, which seeks to help countries combine computing resources, data and talent to build their own AI capabilities.

Kenya will also advance the AI 10 Billion Initiative, a continental programme backed by the African Development Bank and partners that aims to mobilise up to $10 billion by 2035.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya