During the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Yokohama, Japan, President William Ruto urged Africa to reform and revitalize its agricultural sector to cease exporting raw materials. He emphasized the need for Africa to add value to its products, fostering industrialization and creating local wealth to correct global trade imbalances.

• Emphasis on transforming Africa from a supplier of unprocessed raw materials to a hub for high-value production.
• President Ruto met with International Finance Corporation (IFC) Managing Director Mokhtar Diop and officials from Japanese companies including Sumitomo Corporation, Marubeni Corporation, and Fujita Corporation.
• More than 120 Japanese companies operate in Nairobi, engaging in various businesses from construction to manufacturing.