President William Ruto met African Development Bank (AfDB) President Sidi Ould Tah on the sidelines of the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa on Saturday, February 14, 2026.

The two leaders reviewed ongoing joint programmes and projects in the pipeline to support Kenya’s development agenda.

The government spokesperson said they noted that Thwake Dam is 90 per cent complete. They also discussed water and sanitation schemes, roads and the continued expansion of Konza Technopolis. The government says these projects will support growth and improve livelihoods.

“H.E. President William Ruto met African Development Bank President Sidi Tah on the sidelines of the 39th AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. They reviewed ongoing joint programmes and projects in the pipeline to support Kenya’s development agenda,” the government spokesperson said.

“The leaders expressed satisfaction with the 90% progress at Thwake Dam. Discussions also covered water and sanitation projects in small towns, road infrastructure development, and the continued expansion of Konza Technopolis.”

Met Africa Development Bank President Sidi Tah on the sidelines of the 39th Ordinary Summit of the African Union Heads of State and Government, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

We discussed the various programmes we are implementing together and the projects that are in the pipeline. We… pic.twitter.com/wB2qUNoXH4

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) February 14, 2026

But the meeting has raised fresh questions at home. Many Kenyans believe the talks could lead to more borrowing at a time when the country already faces heavy debt pressure.

Kenya’s public debt stands at around 65.7 per cent of GDP in 2026. That is lower than 72 per cent in 2023, helped by a stronger shilling. However, the figure has risen sharply from 42.2 per cent in 2013.

According to the AfDB, Kenya’s external debt is over Ksh5.5 trillion, while domestic debt stands at over Ksh6 trillion. Multilateral lenders, including the AfDB, account for more than half of external loans.

Fitch Ratings expects debt service costs to reach Ksh683 billion this financial year, or 3.7 per cent of GDP. The agency also forecasts a fiscal deficit of 5.8 per cent, above the government’s 4.7 per cent target. These figures show the strain on public finances.

Borrowing drives Kenya projects

President Ruto’s administration argues that borrowing supports infrastructure and long-term growth. In January, the AfDB approved Ksh2 billion for clean energy projects in Kenya.

In 2025, it signed a Ksh19.3 billion deal with KCB Bank to support green financing and trade. The AfDB’sMacroeconomic Outlook notes that Africa’s public debt rose by 170 per cent to more than $1.8 trillion between 2010 and 2024. Kenya reflects this wider trend.

Official data puts unemployment at 5.5 per cent, with youth unemployment roughly double that level. Inflation has eased to 4.4 per cent, but food and fuel prices remain high for many households. The Central Bank has cut its benchmark rate to 8.75 per cent, yet commercial lending rates remain expensive for small businesses.

Thwake Dam shows both the promise and the problems of borrowing. Construction began in 2018. The government says the project will supply water to 1.3 million people in Kitui, Makueni and Machakos counties once complete. However, cost overruns have added billions to the bill.

Konza Technopolis, promoted as a future technology hub, has also moved more slowly than planned. Water, sanitation and road projects in smaller towns aim to improve basic services, but allegations of mismanagement continue to surface.

At the summit, President Ruto also called for reforms within the African Union and urged greater investment in local health manufacturing. He wants Africa to produce 60 per cent of its health products by 2040.

He believes institutions such as the AfDB can help finance that ambition. Yet Kenya’s own health sector faces pressure as the government balances spending with debt obligations. The World Bank and the IMF have pushed for fiscal discipline, leading to spending cuts in some areas.