President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto arrived in Addis Ababa on Friday, February 13, 2026, ahead of the start of the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government scheduled for February 14–15 at the African Union Headquarters. The high-level summit will convene continental leaders to set priorities for Africa amid geopolitical shifts and economic uncertainty.
The Kenyan leader, accompanied by the First Lady, touched down at Bole International Airport as other presidents and delegations were already arriving in Ethiopia’s diplomatic capital. The AU Assembly the bloc’s supreme decision-making body will address a packed agenda, including institutional reforms, climate change, peace and security, and regional trade integration under the framework of Agenda 2063.
Ruto’s Strategic Focus at the Summit
According to the State House State communications President Ruto will play a leading role at the summit :
Champion Institutional Reform: As the AU’s designated champion on institutional reform, Ruto is expected to present a progress report aimed at strengthening the body’s effectiveness, credibility, and financial sustainability. Climate Leadership: He will chair the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) and outline Africa’s collective position on climate adaptation, resilience, and financing a continuation of Kenya’s climate diplomacy from past AU engagements. Trade and Integration: The President will also lead discussions on deepening intra-African trade, including sessions linked to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
On the summit’s sidelines, Ruto is expected to hold bilateral talks with fellow heads of state and key partners to mobilise support for Kenya’s national transformation agenda, including infrastructure, agriculture, and energy security.
First Lady’s Role and Wider Engagements
First Lady Rachel Ruto, who has accompanied the President, is anticipated to participate in activities aligned with women’s leadership, social development, and the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD). Her presence underscores Kenya’s commitment to inclusive development and women’s empowerment, themes expected to feature in high-level discussions in Addis Ababa.
AU Summit Goals and Preparations
The 39th AU Assembly comes on the heels of the 48th Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council, which underscored unity, sustainable development, and continental integration ahead of the Assembly. Addis Ababa has been abuzz with preparations including security and hospitality arrangements as tens of leaders gather to deliberate on critical issues, such as sustainable water availability, sanitation, peace, and economic integration.
The summit’s outcomes are expected to shape Africa’s collective response to global economic uncertainty, security challenges in regions like the Sahel and Horn of Africa, and the push for institutional modernization across the AU’s structures.
African Union
The Kenyan leader, accompanied by the First Lady, touched down at Bole International Airport as other presidents and delegations were already arriving in Ethiopia’s diplomatic capital. The AU Assembly the bloc’s supreme decision-making body will address a packed agenda, including institutional reforms, climate change, peace and security, and regional trade integration under the framework of Agenda 2063.
Ruto’s Strategic Focus at the Summit
According to the State House State communications President Ruto will play a leading role at the summit :
Champion Institutional Reform: As the AU’s designated champion on institutional reform, Ruto is expected to present a progress report aimed at strengthening the body’s effectiveness, credibility, and financial sustainability. Climate Leadership: He will chair the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) and outline Africa’s collective position on climate adaptation, resilience, and financing a continuation of Kenya’s climate diplomacy from past AU engagements. Trade and Integration: The President will also lead discussions on deepening intra-African trade, including sessions linked to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
On the summit’s sidelines, Ruto is expected to hold bilateral talks with fellow heads of state and key partners to mobilise support for Kenya’s national transformation agenda, including infrastructure, agriculture, and energy security.
First Lady’s Role and Wider Engagements
First Lady Rachel Ruto, who has accompanied the President, is anticipated to participate in activities aligned with women’s leadership, social development, and the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD). Her presence underscores Kenya’s commitment to inclusive development and women’s empowerment, themes expected to feature in high-level discussions in Addis Ababa.
AU Summit Goals and Preparations
The 39th AU Assembly comes on the heels of the 48th Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council, which underscored unity, sustainable development, and continental integration ahead of the Assembly. Addis Ababa has been abuzz with preparations including security and hospitality arrangements as tens of leaders gather to deliberate on critical issues, such as sustainable water availability, sanitation, peace, and economic integration.
The summit’s outcomes are expected to shape Africa’s collective response to global economic uncertainty, security challenges in regions like the Sahel and Horn of Africa, and the push for institutional modernization across the AU’s structures.
African Union
