President William Ruto has reaffirmed Kenya's commitment to strengthening its partnership with the World Bank as the government seeks to accelerate economic growth, expand investment and deliver on its development agenda ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The President said the World Bank remains a critical development partner whose support has helped finance projects aimed at improving livelihoods, creating economic opportunities and enhancing resilience across the country.
Speaking after talks with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Évian, France, President Ruto said the discussions focused on Kenya's development priorities and efforts to attract more investment for sustainable and inclusive growth.
"The World Bank has been an important partner in Kenya's development, supporting investments that are improving livelihoods, expanding economic opportunity and strengthening resilience," President Ruto said.
He noted that Kenya would continue working closely with the multilateral lender to accelerate the implementation of programmes designed to spur economic transformation and improve the welfare of citizens.
The meeting comes at a politically significant time as the Kenya Kwanza administration seeks to showcase its development record ahead of the 2027 elections. The government has identified infrastructure development, job creation, affordable housing, agricultural transformation and universal healthcare as key pillars of its economic agenda.
President Ruto said he also welcomed the World Bank's support for reforms to the international financial architecture, arguing that developing countries require greater access to affordable financing to address development challenges and climate-related shocks.
"I also welcomed the World Bank's support for reforms to the international financial architecture that will expand access to capital, strengthen resilience and better reflect the realities and aspirations of developing countries," he said.
The World Bank is one of Kenya's largest development partners, funding projects in infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, water, social protection and climate resilience.
The talks with Mr Banga took place amid growing concerns over Kenya's debt burden, the high cost of living and demands for increased economic opportunities, particularly for young people. As the country inches closer to the 2027 polls, economic performance is expected to be a central campaign issue, with the government under pressure to demonstrate tangible improvements in employment, household incomes and service delivery.
President Ruto is attending the G7 Summit as part of efforts to deepen Kenya's engagement with international partners and mobilise investment to support the country's long-term economic growth strategy.
