Kenya : Biden and Ruto launch Nairobi-Washington Vision, a call for international support for indebted countries

U.S. President Joe Biden and Kenyan President William Ruto, on a state visit to the United States, announced investments in green energy, education, and health, as well as a debt reduction plan for Kenya.

The investments include a $1 billion data center funded by Microsoft and G42; $100 million hydroelectric projects; a $10 million loan to support Hewa Tele in providing medical oxygen; and $3.3 million to finance Kenyan students’ studies in the United States.

Additionally, Biden designated Kenya as a major non-NATO ally, promising additional aid. Kenya thus becomes the first sub-Saharan African country to join the 18 non-NATO major allies, which include Israel, Brazil, and the Philippines.

Finally, the two countries launched the Nairobi-Washington Vision, a call to the international community to help indebted countries like Kenya manage their debt while investing in economic growth. This vision urges international financial institutions to provide coordinated support packages and creditor countries to offer forms of debt relief.

Ruto’s visit is the sixth state visit organized by the Biden administration and the first for an African president since 2008.