U.S. President Biden Hosts Kenyan President Ruto for Historic Tech Forum

In a groundbreaking gathering, President Joe Biden welcomed His Excellency William Ruto, President of Kenya, to a high-profile forum at the U.S. Department of Commerce, led by Secretary Gina Raimondo. The event aimed to bridge the innovation landscapes of Kenya’s Silicon Savannah and America’s Silicon Valley, fostering collaboration and investment opportunities between the two nations.

Central to the discussions were key priorities such as advancing the digital economy and infrastructure, shaping a future-ready workforce, semiconductor investments, and bolstering cybersecurity measures.

Among the esteemed participants was Sitoyo Lopokoiyit MBS, Managing Director of M-PESA Africa, representing the continent’s technological strides. Also in attendance were notable figures including Anthony Githinji, CEO of SemiConductor Technologies, and Prof. Peter Muchiri, Vice-Chancellor of DEDAN KIMATHI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (DeKUT), adding depth to the conversation on technological innovation.

From the U.S. side, luminaries like Helene Gayle, President of Spelman College, Ruth Porat, President and CIO of Google, and Ursula Burns, Chair of Teneo, brought their expertise to the table. Cheryl Mills, CEO of BlackIvy Group, and Franklin Olakunle Amoo, Founding Managing Partner of Baylis Emerging Markets, further enriched the dialogue with their insights into potential collaboration avenues.