President William Ruto on Wednesday held high-level talks with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, focusing on expanding opportunities for Kenya’s economic advancement. The meeting took place in Washington, D.C., as part of the President’s U.S. tour.
President Ruto emphasized that the discussion reinforced a “forward-looking partnership” centered on transparency and robust economic governance. He commended the IMF’s role in Kenya’s economic transformation, highlighting its guidance on external debt management and its technical support across critical sectors.
“Thanks to the steadfast support of our international partners, including the IMF, Kenya’s economy has made significant strides—rising from the eighth- to the sixth-largest in Africa within just two years,” President Ruto said in an official statement. He added that Kenya remains committed to strengthening these relationships to drive resilience, sustainable development, and shared prosperity.
In separate engagements, President Ruto met with International Finance Corporation (IFC) Managing Director Makhtar Diop to advance Kenya’s development financing agenda. Discussions included the establishment of a new Infrastructure Fund, which has attracted notable interest from global partners.
The President revealed that an IFC delegation will visit Kenya early next year to deepen discussions on energy and infrastructure investments. Key areas of focus will include the modernisation of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) through a Public-Private Partnership model, as well as the expansion of major road networks and the development of geothermal, hydro, and wind power projects.
President Ruto also welcomed the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation’s (DFC) decision to proceed with a $1 billion (Ksh 129.8 billion) debt-for-food security swap. This initiative will allow Kenya to replace high-cost debt with more affordable financing, with the resulting savings directed toward strengthening national food security programmes.
