President William Ruto has challenged Kenya and Belgium to embrace a new model of cooperation founded on trade, investment, and shared prosperity instead of conventional development assistance.
Speaking during the Kenya-Belgium Business Roundtable in Brussels, the Head of State said Africa and Europe should build relationships based on equal partnership, innovation, and economic collaboration that benefit both sides.
Ruto urged Belgian investors to establish manufacturing and value-addition industries in Kenya rather than exporting raw materials for processing abroad. He noted that such investments would create employment opportunities, strengthen local industries, and increase the value of Kenyan exports.
The President also emphasized Africa's growing role in addressing global challenges, citing the continent's abundant natural resources, renewable energy potential, and youthful population as major assets for future economic development.
He further highlighted Kenya's strategic position as a gateway to the African market through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), saying investors can access a market of more than 1.4 billion people by establishing operations in the country.
Ruto pointed to the European Union-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement as another incentive for investors, noting that it offers Kenyan products duty-free and quota-free access to European markets.
During his visit, the President also presided over the launch of the Kenya-Benelux Chamber of Commerce, an initiative expected to strengthen trade and investment relations between Kenya and the Benelux countries while creating new opportunities for businesses on both sides.
The renewed call for economic cooperation reflects Kenya's broader strategy of positioning itself as a regional manufacturing and investment hub while attracting foreign capital to drive industrial transformation and job creation.
