Kenya’s President William Ruto has secured a strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, who praised Kenya as a cornerstone of stability and growth on the continent. The two leaders met on Tuesday in Riyadh to discuss ways to boost trade, investment, and cooperation in renewable energy, agriculture, and security.
The partnership, dubbed the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA), aims to unlock the potential of green energy and industry in Africa. Kenya serves as a platform for Saudi Arabia’s forays into the continent. Kenya has a high potential for renewable energy, with more than 70 percent of its electricity coming from geothermal, hydro, and wind sources. The country has also set an ambitious target to achieve 100 percent renewable power by 2030 and to fuel the green industries of the future by 2040.
President Ruto said that Kenya and Saudi Arabia share a long-standing tie that has not been fully explored. He expressed his gratitude for the Crown Prince’s support and vision, saying that Kenya is a country with a tremendous future. He also acknowledged the progress made by Africa in economic growth, regional cooperation, and democratization but expressed concern about the challenges of insecurity, violence, and terrorism. He called for international cooperation to address these issues and ensure peace and stability in East Africa and the Red Sea.
Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman echoed the need for regional stability and praised Kenya’s success as a model for the rest of Africa. He said Saudi Arabia is committed to increasing its investments in Kenya, especially in the renewable energy sector. He also invited other countries and organizations to join APRA and help write a new chapter in the history of Africa.
The partnership was launched at the first Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, attended by leaders and representatives from more than 50 African countries and international organizations. The summit aimed to showcase Africa’s climate action and resilience and mobilize resources and partnerships for green development. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Africa needs $100 billion annually to achieve its renewable energy targets by 2030.
President Ruto also met with PepsiCo’s CEO for Africa, Middle East, and South Asia, Eugene Willemsen, where they discussed strategies for enhancing farming in Kenya, focusing on irrigation-fed agriculture and economic opportunities for the country’s youth.
The partnership between Kenya and Saudi Arabia is expected to strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries and enhance their roles in regional and global affairs. It is also expected to create more jobs, improve living standards, and foster sustainable development in both countries.
Source: Capital News
