President William Ruto has called for urgent global trade reforms to support green production and unlock Africa’s potential in driving climate action. Speaking at the Fourth Financing for Development (FfD4) Summit in Seville, Spain, Ruto emphasized the need for fairer international trade rules and pricing systems that reward environmentally sustainable practices and accelerate decarbonisation worldwide.
He stressed that Africa’s involvement in the global climate agenda is indispensable, yet remains hindered by limited access to global markets. “Africa’s role is critical to the global climate agenda. But we cannot deliver if our goods, services, and carbon credits are excluded from global markets or if entire value chains are blocked,” he said.
Ruto urged for a shift from “green premiums” to “green discounts,” arguing that the current trade structures penalize countries attempting to pursue green industrialisation. He maintained that fair access to global markets is essential for Africa to contribute meaningfully to climate solutions.
He welcomed the summit’s recognition of trade and industrialisation as pivotal to structural transformation and long-term prosperity. According to Ruto, no country has attained sustained development without investing in manufacturing and diversifying exports. He underscored that Africa is not only ready but also well-positioned to become the next global hub for sustainable production and innovation.
The FfD4 Summit, taking place from June 30 to July 3, brings together leaders, policymakers, and development experts to explore ways to overcome pressing financial challenges impeding progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Among the summit’s main themes are reforming the global financial architecture, easing access to capital, and enhancing development cooperation particularly for countries in the Global South.
Ruto hailed the summit’s outcome document as a testament to renewed global commitment to multilateralism and equitable development. He praised its emphasis on national ownership and sovereignty, asserting that African countries are ready to take responsibility for their development paths with renewed determination.
He also drew attention to structural debt issues, noting that many developing nations are trapped in unsustainable debt cycles that hinder investment in development. He called for the establishment of a sovereign debt framework that is fair, development-oriented, and anchored in long-term credit assessments.
“There is now consensus on the need for a development-oriented sovereign debt architecture, where public debt is an instrument for development, not a trap,” he noted. Accurate and objective debt sustainability frameworks, he said, are vital for supporting the ambitions of the developing world.
Ruto’s appeal comes at a time when African nations are united in their push for a more inclusive and just global financial system that reflects their aspirations and economic realities.
