President Kenyatta leaves for Italy to attend G7 summit

President Uhuru Kenyatta. FILE PHOTO | AFP

What you need to know:

  • Besides Kenya, other African countries invited to represent the interests of the continent at the summit are Ethiopia, Tunisia and Nigeria.

  • The theme of this year’s summit is "Building the foundations of renewed trust".

President Uhuru Kenyatta has travelled to Taormina, Italy, to attend the 43rd G7 summit, where he is expected to meet US President Donald Trump, among other world leaders.

The President will deliver a speech on on “the timeliness and challenges brought about by innovation as a factor of economic growth and development in Africa.”

The Group of Seven (G7) is an informal bloc of industrialised democracies (the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom) that meets annually to discuss issues such as global economic governance, international security and energy policy.

Italy currently holds the rotating G7 presidency.

Besides Kenya, other African countries invited to represent the interests of the continent at the summit are Ethiopia, Tunisia and Nigeria.

The theme of this year’s summit is "Building the foundations of renewed trust".

President Kenyatta is expected to use the high-level profile event to showcase Kenya’s achievements over time and also show Africa’s interest in a way that is readily digestible on the global stage, State House said.

The plane carrying the President and his entourage departed Jomo Kenyatta International Airport shortly before 7am Friday.