President William Ruto is expected to present what officials describe as a shared African position on investment, trade and debt relief. The meeting, to be held in Evian, brings together leaders of the world’s wealthiest economies, alongside a small number of invited partners.
His trip follows an invitation from President Emmanuel Macron of France, according to Hussein Mohamed, the State House spokesperson. “President Ruto departs later tonight to participate in the G7 Leaders’ Summit, where he will represent Africa and advance the continent’s priorities,” Mohamed said.
At the centre of Ruto’s message is a familiar concern: the cost of borrowing. Many African countries continue to face high debt burdens and limited access to affordable credit, even as they seek to fund infrastructure, energy projects and job creation.
Kenyan officials say the president will argue for changes to the global financial system, which they believe still reflects the priorities of an earlier era. The aim, they say, is to secure fairer lending terms and attract more private investment into African economies.
“The summit will provide an important platform to champion Africa’s case for reforms to the international financial architecture,” Mohamed said, adding that the goal is to unlock growth and expand opportunities for businesses.
The visit comes just weeks after a gathering in Nairobi known as the Africa Forward Summit, where leaders outlined a joint agenda covering economic reform, climate action and digital growth. Kenyan officials say Mr Ruto will carry those proposals to France as part of a broader push for a united African voice.
Still, such ambitions face challenges. Previous calls for sweeping reform of global finance have often met slow progress, with richer nations balancing domestic pressures against international commitments. Analysts say outcomes from G7 meetings tend to be incremental rather than sweeping.
Even so, the summit offers a chance for African leaders to press their case directly. Alongside formal sessions on economic stability and security, discussions are expected to touch on climate financing and the rising influence of new technologies.
Ruto is also likely to highlight Kenya’s ambitions in the digital space. Officials say he will call for wider access to emerging technologies and greater investment in data infrastructure and skills. On the sidelines, he is expected to meet executives from leading technology firms, as Kenya seeks to position itself as a regional centre for innovation.
The president is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with several heads of state and government, with a focus on attracting investment into manufacturing, renewable energy and agriculture, sectors seen as critical to job creation at home.
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