President William Ruto emphasized his vision for African development by urging a replenishment of the Ksh3.3 Trillion African Development Fund, managed by the African Development Bank (AfDB). During a meeting with AfDB President Dr Akinwumi Adesina at State House, Nairobi, on May 9, President Ruto advocated for a substantial increase in the fund to support the 37 African member countries.

Ruto highlighted Kenya’s benefit from the fund and called for its replenishment to exceed the current Ksh1.2 trillion issued in 2022, which concludes in 2025. He stressed the fund’s significance in advancing African development, citing its role in projects like Last Mile Connectivity, which has provided electricity to over 10 million rural households.

Established in 1972, the African Development Fund (ADF) serves as the concessional window of the AfDB Group. Additionally, discussions revealed that the AfDB will be hosting its 59th Annual Meetings in Nairobi from May 27 to May 31, focusing on Africa’s Transformation, the AfDB Group’s role, and global financial architecture reform. The bank was evaluating Kenya’s readiness to host the conference, indicating further collaboration between Kenya and the AfDB.