President William Ruto has called for stronger cooperation between Africa and Russia in healthcare, pharmaceutical research and local vaccine manufacturing, saying the continent must strengthen its capacity to produce essential medicines and develop medical technologies.

Addressing the Third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow on Thursday, October 29, 2026, Ruto said recent global health emergencies had demonstrated the importance of building Africa’s capacity to protect its people.

“We welcome deeper cooperation with Russia in education, technical training, scientific research, digital technologies, and responsible artificial intelligence,” he said.

“We also look forward to stronger cooperation in healthcare, pharmaceutical research, and local vaccine manufacturing. The lessons of recent global health emergencies are clear: Africa must strengthen its capacity to produce essential medicines, develop medical technologies, and protect the health of its people.”

The President said healthcare cooperation should form part of a broader partnership focused on industrialisation, technology transfer, skills development and job creation.

“Africa cannot continue to be a supplier of raw materials and a consumer of finished products. We now must become a continent that manufactures, innovates, adds value, and competes in the global economy,” Ruto said.

He urged Russia to support partnerships that would establish industries and strengthen local production, arguing that a more industrialised Africa would create opportunities for both sides.

Ruto also called for deeper cooperation in education, technical training, scientific research, digital technologies and artificial intelligence, saying African youth should play a greater role in developing innovations.

“Our young people must not become mere consumers of technologies developed elsewhere, but should be the scientists, engineers, researchers, and innovators who create technologies and build industries,” he said.

He noted that the African Continental Free Trade Area was integrating a market of 1.4 billion people, creating opportunities for competitive industries, regional value chains and expanded investment.

Ruto called for reforms to the international financial system to provide affordable long-term financing for infrastructure and industrial development.

He also renewed calls for permanent African representation on the United Nations Security Council, saying the continent could not continue without permanent seats.

Ruto said the summit’s success should be judged by concrete outcomes, urging both sides to ensure the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum Action Plan for 2027–2029 translates commitments into investments, industries and research opportunities that improve people’s lives.