Ruto Leads Africa’s Maternal Health Agenda, Powers Economic Change

President William Ruto has continued his engagements in Addis Ababa during the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly on February 14, 2026, placing strong emphasis on healthcare reform and economic transformation across the continent.

Addressing leaders on the theme "Ending Preventable Maternal Deaths in Africa", Ruto has said Kenya has been at the forefront of restructuring its health financing framework through the newly established Social Health Authority (SHA).

He has explained that the new system guarantees prepaid access to maternal healthcare services, ensuring expectant mothers receive care without worrying about upfront costs.

“Through the new Social Health Authority network, we are expanding prepaid access to maternal health,” he said.

The President has revealed that the framework has already provided direct coverage to 50,000 young adolescent mothers during both antenatal and postnatal stages. He stresses that financial hardship should never deny a young mother safe childbirth. Strengthening health systems, he added, is not only a social priority but also an economic investment in Africa’s future.

“We are ensuring that cost is never a reason a young mother is denied safe childbirth,” Ruto emphasized.

He has further called on international donors and development partners to support risk‑sharing and bridge financing mechanisms.

“We call on partners, especially the Susan Thompson Foundation, to support risk‑sharing and bridge financing mechanisms that can stabilize local manufacturing and commodity supply,” he added.

Ruto has noted that such support is critical in boosting local pharmaceutical manufacturing and stabilizing the supply of essential medical commodities, reducing Africa’s dependence on external supply chains such as family planning supplies.

His remarks came a day after he chaired the inaugural meeting of Heads of State and Government on the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

During that meeting, Ruto urged African leaders to move the AfCFTA from negotiation to full implementation. He said the trade agreement has the potential to transform the continent by accelerating industrialisation, promoting value addition, and increasing intra‑African trade.

Projections indicate the pact could boost intra‑African trade by up to $3 trillion and raise Africa’s cumulative GDP by about $1.4 trillion between 2021 and 2045. However, Ruto emphasized that these gains will only be realized through disciplined execution, accountability, and sustained political leadership across member states.

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