President William Ruto has called on the world’s leading economies to support Africa’s industrialisation agenda by allowing the continent to process its minerals locally and create jobs at home, saying the era of exporting raw materials with little value addition must come to an end.
Speaking during the G7+ Working Session on “Reviving a Balanced and Shared Growth for All” in Evian, France, on Wednesday, Ruto said Africa’s future prosperity lies in building industries, manufacturing goods and moving up the global value chain.
The President argued that Africa’s relationship with the rest of the world has for decades been shaped by the extraction of raw materials, with limited benefits accruing to the continent.
“For too long, however, Africa’s engagement with the rest of the world has been defined by the extraction of raw materials with limited value addition on the continent. That model is no longer acceptable,” he said.
Ruto urged global partners to work with African countries to process minerals locally, noting that the continent holds many of the critical resources needed to power the global economy and emerging technologies.
“Our proposition is simple: work with us to create value in Africa. Let us process our minerals in Africa. Let us manufacture in Africa. Let us build industries in Africa. Let us create jobs in Africa,” he said.
According to the President, such partnerships would not only benefit African economies but also strengthen global supply chains and create new investment markets.
“This is not only good for Africa; it is good for the world. Stronger African economies mean stronger global supply chains, larger consumer markets, greater investment opportunities, and more resilient growth,” he said.
Ruto said Africa is increasingly becoming central to global growth, citing demographic trends and the continent’s expanding workforce.
He noted that six of the world’s fastest-growing economies are in Africa and projected that within the next 25 years, one in every four people globally will be African.
By 2050, he said, Africa is expected to account for nearly 40 per cent of the global workforce and host a market of more than 2.4 billion people.
“If we are serious about accelerating global growth, then we must pay attention to Africa. There is no region in the world with greater potential to drive shared and sustainable prosperity,” he said.
The President said the minerals required for electric mobility, clean energy, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing are increasingly found in Africa, presenting an opportunity for the continent to play a greater role in future industries.
However, he stressed that African countries are not seeking extractive relationships but partnerships grounded in equality and mutual benefit.
“Africa is not seeking extractive relationships. We are seeking partnerships founded on sovereign equality, mutual respect, and shared prosperity,” Ruto said.
He added that Africa’s challenge is not a lack of resources or talent but unlocking its full potential through strategic partnerships.
“Africa is not short of opportunity. Africa is not short of resources. Africa is not short of talent. What we seek are partnerships that recognise these strengths and help unlock their full potential,” he said.
In a direct appeal to the world’s leading economies, Ruto underscored Africa’s growing importance to the global economy.
“My message to the G7 is clear: pay attention to Africa,” he said.
The President said the future of global growth will increasingly be shaped on the continent and called for a shared approach to building that future.
“The future of global growth will be shaped in Africa. The opportunity before us is to build that future together,” he said.
