President William Ruto has issued a strong call for unity and collaboration among African nations to address the continent’s pressing security and governance challenges. Speaking at the Nairobi Security Forum, a high-level event co-hosted by Kenya and the United States, Ruto warned that Africa’s immense potential is at risk due to persistent instability.
“Africa stands at a pivotal moment,” the President said, pointing to the continent’s youthful population and resource wealth as key drivers of future global growth. With over 60% of Africans under the age of 25, Ruto noted, the continent is on track to become the world’s largest workforce by 2050.
He highlighted Africa’s strategic importance in global food security and the green energy transition, but cautioned that terrorism, armed conflict, cyber threats, and environmental degradation continue to undermine this promise.
“These challenges test the resilience of our institutions and demand that we reimagine our peace and security architecture,” Ruto said.
Held for only the second time on African soil, the forum brought together military leaders, policymakers, and security experts from across the continent and beyond. Ruto stressed that Africa must lead in shaping its own security agenda, urging nations to build stronger defence partnerships, align doctrines, and pursue African-led solutions.
“True security in Africa must be continental in ambition and collaborative in execution,” he stated. “When one country or region falters, the ripple effects transcend borders.”
Ruto pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as not just an economic opportunity but also a pathway to enhancing regional stability. He also lauded environmental initiatives like the Great Green Wall for creating jobs while restoring degraded landscapes.
The President called for a shift toward proactive, rather than reactive, military cooperation, framing unity not just as an ideal but as a practical strategy for resilience. He reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to engaging partners at all levels to build a “robust, credible, and enduring” defence framework.
Ruto also thanked the United States for its ongoing support for regional peace efforts, expressing hope that the forum would yield concrete strategies for a more secure, unified Africa.
