Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – September 7, 2025
President William Ruto departs Nairobi today for Addis Ababa to attend the second Africa Climate Summit, a high-level gathering of Heads of State and Government focused on climate action, green industrialisation, and Africa’s global leadership in sustainable growth.
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The summit, which follows the groundbreaking 2023 Nairobi Declaration, is expected to shape Africa’s climate and development agenda for years to come.
From Nairobi to Addis: Africa’s Climate Journey
At the conference, President Ruto will launch the landmark report “From Nairobi to Addis Ababa: Africa’s Journey of Climate Action and Partnership.” The report reviews progress since the inaugural Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, highlights ongoing challenges, and charts new pathways for climate resilience.
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“Our ambition is to transform Africa from a victim of climate change into a leader of solutions. This summit is not just about pledges, but about partnerships that deliver results,” President Ruto said before his departure.
Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII)
One of the summit’s key milestones will be the signing of the Cooperation Framework for the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII). The initiative brings together African governments, financiers, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, and private sector players to mobilise investment in green industries.
According to officials, AGII will coordinate financial and technical support for green projects, mobilise investment aligned with renewable energy acceleration, AfCFTA priorities, and the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa (AGIA). It will also establish a Joint Project Preparation Facility to fast-track bankable projects.
“This framework is about unlocking Africa’s trillion-dollar green economy,” noted a senior African Union climate advisor.
Championing Fair Climate Finance
As chair of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), President Ruto is expected to lead negotiations on equitable carbon pricing, fair resource valuation, and debt reforms to ease climate-related risks.
Kenya’s Head of State has been at the forefront of calls for a restructured global financial system that works for Africa. “The world cannot talk about climate justice while Africa pays the highest cost for a crisis it did not cause,” Ruto has previously stated.
Inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)
Away from the summit halls, President Ruto will be the chief guest at the inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Africa’s largest hydroelectric project and a symbol of continental self-reliance.
For Kenya, the Ethiopia-Kenya power interconnector already delivers clean and affordable electricity, stabilising supply during droughts and powering industrial growth. Alongside the Kenya-Tanzania interconnector, these regional energy links are seen as crucial to East Africa’s integration through renewable energy trade.
Energy experts say this added capacity is vital, with Kenya’s peak demand now surpassing 2,392MW. The clean energy imports are powering special economic zones, ICT hubs, agro-industries, and industrial parks, directly supporting Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Strengthening Global Partnerships
President Ruto will also address the Africa-CARICOM Summit, where discussions will center on reparatory justice, debt sustainability, and transcontinental cooperation. Bilateral meetings on the sidelines will focus on expanding trade and tackling shared global challenges.
State House Statement
In a statement, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, MBS, emphasised Kenya’s role in driving Africa’s climate agenda. “President Ruto’s leadership has positioned Africa as a global partner in climate action. His engagements in Addis will strengthen green growth, deepen regional integration, and unlock new opportunities for Africa’s people.”
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