With Vision 2030 approaching its final years and Africa gaining global economic attention, President William Ruto says Kenya cannot afford to miss what he describes as a historic opportunity to reshape its future and accelerate long-term growth.
Speaking during his special State of the Nation address, the President said the country had made steady progress in rebuilding its economy over the last four years, creating a stronger platform for investment, growth and long-term planning. He said Kenya should now focus on preparing for the next phase of national development while taking advantage of Africa's expanding role in the global economy.
"I believe we are on the threshold of one such historic moment," Ruto said.
The President said four key developments had convinced him that Kenya was entering a defining period, beginning with the progress made in restoring economic stability.
Ruto said the government had stabilised the Kenyan shilling, increased foreign exchange reserves to more than $15 billion, equivalent to 6.5 months of import cover, while also reducing inflation and lowering borrowing costs.
"Because we have restored stability, rebuilt investor confidence and laid a firm foundation for our economy, now is the perfect opportunity for Kenya to begin shaping the next phase of our national development," he said.
According to the President, the improved economic environment had strengthened investor confidence, enabling Kenya to attract a record $3.2 billion in foreign direct investment last year, more than double the amount recorded in 2022.
He also cited Kenya's ranking as Africa's most competitive economy in the 2025 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, saying it reflected the country's improving economic performance.
Ruto further said the establishment of the National Infrastructure Fund and the sovereign wealth fund had laid the groundwork for sustainable development beyond the current administration.
"These institutions represent more than new opportunities. They embody a philosophy of nation building that lasting prosperity is built through institutions that outlive governments," he said.
The President said another reason Kenya should begin planning for the future was the approaching conclusion of Vision 2030, noting that the country now had an opportunity to develop a fresh long-term national development framework.
He identified Africa's growing economic influence as another major factor that should give Kenyans confidence about the future.
"The next great wave of economic transformation will, I believe, be African," he said.
Ruto said Africa's young and expanding population, renewable energy resources, agricultural potential and growing interest from international investors were placing the continent at the centre of future global economic growth.
"Nine of the world's fastest-growing economies are in Africa, and by 2050, one in every four people on Earth will be African," Ruto said.
While acknowledging that Kenya had not fully benefited from previous global economic shifts, the President said the country now had a rare opportunity to position itself at the forefront of the continent's next growth phase.
"While we may not have taken full advantage of the previous three great waves of global transformation, we have a historic moment and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," he said.
Ruto urged Kenyans to look beyond current political and economic challenges and instead focus on building a stronger future, saying the choices made today would determine whether the country takes full advantage of the opportunities emerging across Africa and the wider global economy.