LUANDA, Angola – President William Ruto has urged Africa and Europe to move beyond historical inequalities and embrace a partnership based on equality, innovation, and opportunity, during the 7th African Union-European Union (AU-EU) Summit in Luanda, Angola.
In an address, President Ruto described the current global landscape as “multipolar, complex, contested, and connected,” stressing that Africa must be at the centre of the future rather than the periphery.
He challenged traditional narratives of aid and charity, advocating instead for a productive partnership where both continents benefit.
“Charity will not solve Africa’s challenges. We come with open hands, offering partnership, innovation, and opportunity,” Ruto said.
Highlighting Africa’s youthful dynamism, the President pointed to the continent’s tech innovators, digital entrepreneurs, and renewable energy pioneers.
He called on Europe to recognize Africa’s potential not just as a source of raw materials but as a hub of innovation and market growth.
Key priorities outlined by Ruto included:
- Strengthening multilateralism and reforming global institutions, including the UN Security Council, to reflect today’s realities.
- Deepening regional economic integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), positioning Africa as a growing market and partner for Europe.
- Acting on climate adaptation with accessible and fair climate financing to safeguard both continents.
- Reimagining migration as a tool for shared prosperity, establishing legal frameworks to circulate talent rather than drain it.
- Embracing digitalisation as a driver of inclusion, economic growth, and innovation across sectors.
President Ruto emphasized the need for Africa to mobilize domestic resources and clamp down on illicit financial flows to achieve sustainable development goals and the AU’s Agenda 2063.
“Africa asks only for fairness, for a seat at the table, not a place on the menu. The time has come to move from promises to progress, from frameworks to follow-through,” he said.
The Kenyan leader concluded with a call for decisive action, urging both continents to forge a future based on equality, solidarity, and mutual benefit.
