Ruto tells investors: If you want hardworking people, you’ll find them in Kenya

President William Ruto has touted Kenya’s human capital and investment potential during his official visit to Italy, saying the country offers one of the best workforces globally.

The President added that Kenya’s education system continues to produce globally competitive talent, noting ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration in research, science, and innovation.

Speaking at an investment forum in Rome, President Ruto said Kenya stands out for its hardworking and skilled population.

“One more reason why I believe your investment belongs in Kenya is that we have one of the best human capitals anywhere in the world. If you want hard-working people, you will find them in Kenya. If you want intelligent people, you will find them in Kenya,” he said.

Ruto revealed that Kenya had signed an agreement with Italy to enhance cooperation in science, research, and innovation, alongside tapping into Italian equipment to support technical training and skills development.

“We are sharpening the skills of our students to ensure they are ready for business. Kenya is building strong, forward-looking partnerships that expand opportunity and drive shared progress. Our future will not be shaped in isolation, but through purposeful cooperation,” he said.

The President added that global companies increasingly prefer Kenyan workers, saying Kenya’s push to build strategic international partnerships is aimed at driving economic growth and resilience.

President Ruto reiterated that Kenya is pursuing a non-aligned, forward-looking development path.

“We neither look to the West nor the East, we look forward,” he said.

He noted that the government is implementing investor-friendly policies and a predictable legal framework to attract capital and innovation, particularly in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence and the digital economy.

Ruto also called on African countries to seize opportunities in AI through the $10 billion AI initiative led by the African Development Bank and the United Nations Development Programme.

Kenya is among the first countries selected in the pipeline to benefit from the initiative, which aims to spur innovation, create jobs, and accelerate economic transformation across the continent.

During the Growing Together Through Partnership: How Venture Capital in Italy and Kenya Can Drive the Next Wave of Innovation forum in Rome, Ruto witnessed the launch of the €50 million Harmonic Africa Fund, the first Italian venture capital fund domiciled in Kenya through the Nairobi International Financial Centre Authority.

He also held talks with Italian Chamber of Deputies President Lorenzo Fontana, focusing on strengthening parliamentary cooperation between Kenya and Italy.

The leaders agreed to deepen engagement between legislators to support the implementation of bilateral agreements, including eight memoranda of understanding signed earlier in the week.

The agreements are expected to enhance collaboration in key sectors such as health, education, science, research and innovation, space technology, agriculture, and tourism.