Kenya’s Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has challenged African countries to fast-track their development agenda, saying the continent has the resources, talent and potential to attain first-world status if leaders focus on long-term investments instead of short-term political and economic gains.
Speaking on behalf of President William Ruto at the Infra for Africa Forum and Africa50 General Shareholders Meeting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Prof. Kindiki urged African nations to believe in their ability to drive sustainable growth through strategic infrastructure development.
In his speech, Prof. Kindiki emphasized the need for African countries to invest in long-term visions that would guarantee development across the continent rather than focusing on short-term social, political, and economic gains.
“We must ensure that the frameworks for projects, programmes and policies we have in place today will still be in place in 30, 40, or 50 years so that we take Africa into first-world status because it is possible to do it, as has been demonstrated by other countries,” the Deputy President affirmed.
He mentioned the innovations and financial models that Kenya is already adopting to support its development, highlighting the need to implement different ways to raise capital for transformative projects.
“In Kenya, we have just put in place an Infrastructure Fund where we are mobilising resources from the stock market by selling part of the stakes in government-owned entities and using the capital to attract investment by the private sector,” DP said.
Prof. Kindiki said Africa’s infrastructure ambitions can only be realised through consistent policies, continuity in government programmes and political stability, warning that disruptive political events often delay or derail development projects.
“The biggest threat to Africa’s development today is policy disruption, which is an unintended consequence of democracy. The movement from one administration to another is a good thing, but we must find ways of insulating our development agenda from democratic transitions so that we can have continuity in development,” the Deputy President said.
In addition, the Deputy President advocated for long-term political stability, enhanced technological advancements, predictable policy frameworks, stronger public-private partnerships and better governance.
Through these strategies, the continent would achieve first-world status, according to Kenya’s Deputy President Prof. Kindiki.
“We need to have the people with us. We must carry the people along: women, young people, rural and urban poor. It is not enough to build roads, railways, seaports, harbours and gas pipelines. It is important to ensure the people travel the development journey with us,” he reiterated.
Prof. Kindiki said Africa’s development efforts would yield greater results if countries worked together, urging governments to deepen regional partnerships to accelerate infrastructure development, boost trade and unlock shared economic prosperity.
— By Regan Oluoch
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