Ruto Urges EALA To Get Africa Out Of Poverty

President William Ruto has challenged the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) to help change the narrative of Africa from a poor continent ridden with conflict and disease to that of immense opportunities.

He said EALA was well-placed to reposition the continent as a destination of great potential and investment.

“It’s not tenable for Africa to continue being profiled as a continent of poverty, conflict and disease, yet we have enormous resources, including renewable energy and arable land that, if well used, can transform the lives of our people,” said President Ruto.

The Head of State said the continent was wealthy and only needed to have its assets properly valued, noting that Africa will soon be the single largest market in the world.

President Ruto made the remarks on Tuesday during the official opening of the third meeting of the second session of the 5th EALA at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi.

At the same time, President Ruto asked the legislators to play a greater role in regional integration so that East Africa  can be a beacon for the rest of Africa.

He also pointed out that EALA, and other regional parliaments, should also play their part in making the Africa Continental Free Trade Area the next hub of global investment, trade and industry.

“To do this, we have to complete the implementation of all the pillars of EAC integration and critically align our integration agenda with the broader African transformational paradigm under the Africa We Want,” said President Ruto.

He said EALA must provide a strong framework on sustainable competitive advantage in emerging hi-tech fields such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence, automation, robotics and machine learning.

Use of technology will enable the region to effectively tackle threats and harness opportunities in a rapidly digitising global economy.

Additionally, President Ruto emphasised the need for EALA legislators to lend their support to the efforts to roll back the effects of climate change, and especially the declaration of the African Climate Summit held last September.

The President said the declaration defines a strong and distinctly African contribution to the global discourse on climate change, humanity’s foremost existential challenge.

He said climate action and sustainable development will help boost investment in Africa and kick-start a green industrial revolution.

Noting that there was a problem in the international financial system, President Ruto called for a new financing mechanism that is fair and equitable to countries of the Global North and Global South alike.

The President announced that the EAC leaders have consulted among themselves and agreed that they will front a single candidate for the Africa Union Commission chairmanship.

EALA Speaker Joseph Ntakirutimana commended President Ruto’s efforts in advancing peace and security in the region.

“Peace in DRC, for instance, requires a homegrown solution for peace to prevail in the country” he said.

EAC Council of Ministers Chairperson Deng Alor Kuol, who is also the Minister for EAC Affairs in South Sudan, said peace and stability remain key to increased trade and investments in the region.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi and his National Assembly counterpart Moses Wetangula, among others, were present at the event.