Kenyan President William Ruto has expressed profound respect and gratitude on behalf of his government and the Kenyan people toward Ethiopia during the official launch of the Lamu oil refinery construction.

Speaking at the ceremony, which was attended by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed(PhD), President Ruto heralded the project's commencement as a declaration that Africa is stepping into a new era. He emphasized that the milestone clearly demonstrates the continent's ability to build with its own capacity, manufacture domestically, and add direct value to its resources.

Furthermore, he pointed out that the refinery project confirms African industries can be successfully built to ensure African prosperity, proving that African visions can be fully realized through local capabilities. 

Offering special thanks to Ethiopia and PM Abiy Ahmed, President Ruto conveyed deep appreciation from both himself and the citizens of Kenya, praising the Prime Minister's steadfast commitment to standing in solidarity with them.

He noted that this bilateral partnership is deeply meaningful not only for Kenya but also for Ethiopia and the broader region. Concluding his message, President Ruto asserted that Africa is not suffering from a lack of natural resources, intellectual knowledge, or consumer markets. Instead, he stressed, the continent must focus entirely on building the unified capacity required to bring all of these powerful elements together.