President William Ruto has positioned Kenya and Africa at the heart of a new global green industrialisation push, unveiling a landmark framework in Addis Ababa that has secured commitments worth more than 100 billion US dollars from leading African financial institutions.
Speaking during the launch of the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII) Cooperation Framework at the second Africa Climate Summit, President Ruto described the moment as a turning point for the continent’s economic future.
“Earlier this year, I convened our leading financial institutions to shape the path for delivery on the AGII mission. In only a few short months, we have moved from conversation to concrete collaboration, which we formalise today,” President Ruto said. “United with our financial institutions, our energy systems, our trade corridors, and partners working in solidarity with us, we can anchor inclusive and globally competitive green value chains. In doing so, we claim Africa’s rightful place in the modern economy, not as a source of raw commodities, but as a continent of innovation, industry, and growth.”
The new framework transforms AGII, first announced at COP28 and rooted in the 2023 Nairobi Declaration, into an actionable plan that seeks to harness Africa’s vast renewable energy potential, critical minerals, and youthful workforce.
The commitments announced in Addis Ababa bring together heavyweight institutions including the African Development Bank, Afreximbank, Africa50, Africa Finance Corporation, KCB Group, Equity Bank, Stanbic Bank, and Ecobank. Their role will be to mobilise capital, streamline regulations, and drive green industrial projects that can create millions of jobs.
Kenya is also set to host one of AGII’s flagship projects. Africa50 and PowerGrid will lead a 313 million US dollar transmission infrastructure development that will expand renewable energy integration into Kenya’s grid, unlocking industrial growth powered by geothermal and wind energy.
President Ruto emphasised that Africa’s green transformation will no longer be donor-driven but will be designed and financed from within the continent. His leadership has been central to aligning the AGII with the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA), which is headquartered in Nairobi and targets 300 GW of renewable energy by 2030.
By spearheading the framework, President Ruto has further cemented his image as a continental climate champion, positioning Africa not as a supplier of raw materials but as a global player in sustainable trade, green manufacturing, and innovation.