Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has declared that the 21st century belongs to Africa, saying the continent is on the verge of overcoming poverty and insecurity through trade, infrastructure, and digital innovation.
Speaking at the ongoing Intra-Africa Trade Fair (IATF 2025) in Algeria, Kindiki said Africa’s long-standing aspirations are within reach.
“This is Africa’s century because the two aspirations we have always struggled to achieve will be realised: to liberate the African citizen from fear, and to empower them to live free from want and poverty,” he noted.
He emphasised that political independence must be matched with economic empowerment, arguing that “political liberty without economic liberty is futile.” Trade, he said, is the engine that will drive poverty out of Africa.
Kindiki outlined Kenya’s contributions to regional trade through massive investments in infrastructure and technology. Flagship projects such as the Lamu Port and the LAPSSET Corridor are linking Kenya to Ethiopia and South Sudan with modern roads, pipelines, internet connectivity, and future railway lines. The Standard Gauge Railway, already running from Mombasa to Nairobi, is being extended to Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with a vision of connecting the Indian Ocean to the West African coast.
To facilitate easier movement of goods and people, Kenya is building one-stop border posts with Tanzania, Ethiopia, and soon with South Sudan and Somalia. Digital infrastructure is also at the heart of this transformation. Kindiki revealed that Kenya plans to lay 100,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable, with 24,000 kilometres already complete. Advances in mobile money and fintech, he added, show how technology can power trade.
Looking ahead, Kindiki urged Africa to rethink financing models, especially amid shrinking tax revenues and rising debt. He called for greater use of Public-Private Partnerships and innovative approaches to resource mobilisation.
Importantly, he stressed that Africa’s prosperity must be inclusive. “For Africa to achieve prosperity, it must be inclusive across generations, gender, and regions. Women and young people must be deliberately included in our growth story,” he said.
Closing his address, Kindiki reaffirmed his conviction: “This is Africa’s century. It must be a century of inclusive growth and shared prosperity.”
