PS Ahmed Ibrahim Calls for a New Era of Strategic International Development Partnerships

PS Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, today represented the Prime Cabinet Secretary, H.E. Hon. Musalia W. Mudavadi, at the inauguration of the International Development Cooperation Conference hosted by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom.

Held under the theme, Transforming International Development Cooperation, the conference brought together policymakers, development partners and stakeholders to deliberate on innovative approaches to international development amid a rapidly evolving global landscape.

In his keynote address, PS Ahmed Ibrahim observed that at a time when multilateralism is under increasing pressure and the global order continues to shift, Kenya is not standing on the sidelines but is taking a leading role in shaping the future of international development cooperation. He highlighted the country's strengths as a hub of human talent, digital innovation and abundant natural resources.

The Principal Secretary outlined five key pillars for a renewed development cooperation framework. He called for markets that drive development through blended finance, private investment, and cross-border infrastructure, noting that entrepreneurship, competition, and private sector investment are sustainable drivers of economic growth beyond traditional aid models.

He further advocated for a transition from aid dependency to strategic partnerships founded on mutual benefit, emphasizing that meaningful cooperation should create value for all partners. He also underscored the importance of local ownership, stating that Africa's youthful population, expanding digital economy and home-grown innovations should drive the continent's development agenda.

Additionally, PS Ibrahim emphasized that successful international partnerships must be built on transparency and shared interests. He urged stakeholders to measure development success through tangible outcomes such as jobs created, markets expanded, and stronger sovereign partnerships, rather than the amount of funding disbursed.

The PS concluded by reaffirming that the future of international stability and sustainable development depends on forging genuine partnerships rooted in mutual economic opportunity, shared prosperity and long-term collaboration.