Ruto woos Korean investors in bid to transform Africa
By Njeri Wambui, June 4, 2024
President William Ruto has emphasised the critical role that Korea can play in transforming Africa. He highlighted the various assets Africa has while addressing congregants at the inaugural Korea-Africa Summit hosted in Goyang, South Korea.
In his speech, Ruto said Africa is keen to develop robust partnerships with Korean investors to contribute to job creation and economic growth through Africa’s enormous potential.
“This summit demonstrates a resolve to elevate this relationship and mobilise the political will needed for Africa and Korea to prosper together through mutually beneficial collaborations. To do this, we must leverage our complementarities and implement win-win strategies based on equal partnership,” Ruto stated.
The country’s first in command additionally stated that Africa still has a huge potential in its energy resources adding that the continent’s skilled and young population is yet to be fully tapped.
Ruto added that Africa is keen on exploring robust partnerships with Korean investors to turn Africa’s enormous potential into opportunity and investment that will create jobs and foster economic growth.
The high-profile summit has attracted 48 African leaders, including Rwanda’s Paul Kagame and Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu, to discuss critical topics such as trade, investment, technology, and sustainable development.
Ruto’s partnership with Korea
During his visit, President Ruto plans to review the status of the Ksh132 billion Framework Arrangement partnership established during his previous visit in November 2022.
Days after securing multiple deals worth Ksh52 billion in the United States, State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, on Sunday, June 2, 2024, revealed that Ruto will sign agreements worth Ksh40 billion and Ksh25 billion to boost the creative economy and for water and irrigation projects respectively.
Kenya is also expected to finalize a Labour Migration Program with South Korea, potentially making Kenya one of the few African countries that can provide labour under the South Korean Employment Permit System (EPS).
The summit, whose theme is the Future We Make Together: Shared Growth, Sustainability and Solidarity, was hosted by President Yoon Suk Yeol at the Korea International Exhibition Centre in Goyang.
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