Ruto hosts AfCFTA Secretary-General ahead of Africa Climate Summit
By Valerian Khakayi, August 29, 2025President William Ruto has hosted African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretary-General Wamkele Mene at State House, Nairobi, ahead of the upcoming Africa Climate Summit set to take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In a statement shared on Friday, August 29, 2025, after the meeting, Ruto underscored Africa’s immense potential for investment, highlighting the continent’s natural, mineral, and human resources as key drivers of green industrialisation.
He noted that Africa is well-positioned not only to advance its own sustainable growth but also to contribute solutions to global industrial transformation.
“Africa holds immense opportunities for investment. By harnessing our natural, mineral, and human resources, we can not only green our own industrialisation, but also contribute to greening global industrialisation and developing solutions that serve the world,” Ruto said.
“It was a pleasure meeting African Continental Free Trade Area Secretary-General Wamkele Mene at State House, Nairobi, ahead of the upcoming Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. At the summit, we will reaffirm our collective commitment to realising Africa’s green industrial opportunity.”
The Head of State also welcomed the significant progress made in operationalising the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII). He pointed out the completion of a joint cooperation framework and the establishment of a Joint Project Preparation Facility, led by African financial institutions, to support bankable and African-led investments.
In addition, Ruto reaffirmed that with proper coordination under AfCFTA and AGII, the continent can unlock opportunities that will not only benefit Africa but also strengthen global climate action.
“I am also pleased to note the significant progress in operationalising the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII), including the completion of a joint cooperation framework and the establishment of a Joint Project Preparation Facility, led by African financial institutions, to ensure bankable, African-led investments,” he added.
Climate Summit
The Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa is expected to bring together leaders, policymakers, and industry players to align on strategies that will drive sustainable industrialisation while addressing climate change.
The summit will focus on harnessing Africa’s vast natural, mineral, and human resources to drive green industrialisation, create jobs, and strengthen the continent’s position in global climate action.
African leaders are expected to reaffirm commitments to initiatives such as the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII), which seeks to unlock bankable, African-led investments for sustainable development.