President William Ruto has called for urgent financial innovation to support small-scale farmers and agri-preneurs, emphasizing their central role in achieving sustainable global food systems.
Speaking at the Second United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4) in Addis Ababa, President Ruto delivered Kenya’s national statement, highlighting the need for inclusive agricultural financing and digital innovation.
“The urgent need for global transformation on how we produce, process, distribute, and consume food cannot be overemphasised,” President Ruto told delegates.
In his address, the Kenyan Head of State urged governments, development partners, and financial institutions to develop tailored financial products aimed specifically at small-scale farmers, agricultural start-ups, and agri-preneurs.
These groups, he said, are the backbone of many economies but often face severe limitations in accessing affordable credit and investment.
“To this end, we must provide tailored financial products that are essential to support small-scale farmers, start-ups, and agri-preneurs and promote innovative digital financial solutions such as M-PESA,” Ruto said.
The summit, which runs from July 27 to 29 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Addis Ababa, has drawn participation from a wide array of global leaders.
Among those present were Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Comoros President Azali Assoumani, UN Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Amina Mohammed, and African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.
The UNFSS+4 builds on the original 2021 UN Food Systems Summit and the 2023 stocktaking moment, aiming to accelerate global progress toward sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems.
The summit also seeks to identify challenges, measure progress, and unlock investments that will transform food systems in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Kenya’s active participation in the summit signals its commitment to reforming food systems domestically and contributing to continental and global food security efforts.
President Ruto’s emphasis on digital financial innovation and inclusive investment reflects his administration’s broader push to modernize agriculture and empower rural communities as part of its economic transformation agenda.