SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY HON. UHURU KENYATTA, C.G.H.,PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE FORCES OFTHE REPUBLIC OF KENYA DURING THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THEGLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUMMIT AT THE U.N. HEADQUARTERS,GIGIRI, 25TH JULY, 2015

President Barack Obama,

Distinguished Entrepreneurs,

The people of Africa and Kenya are truly proud to welcome you to the world’smost diverse continent, and, indeed, as proved by the archeologists, the cradleof Mankind. Welcome home everyone!! We have built mighty civilizations here in Africa, and have sometimes sufferedgreat harm on account of natural and at times man-made calamities.

Still we rise, fired by our spirit of resilience, our undying hope for a bettertomorrow.

You all know that, for a decade now, the economies of Africa have been thefastest-growing in the world. Behind these growth statistics is the story of anew generation of Africans, committed to an African Renaissance.

Our fathers won the political freedom that we enjoy today. But on the socio-economic front the continent continues to face major challenges. This is our moment to complete the task started by our fathers in pursuit ofeconomic freedom. It is the time for the new generation of Africans topromote inclusive prosperity.

In our pursuit of this prosperity, we have truly embraced the private sector.

You the entrepreneurs in this room today, who have come from all corners ofthe globe, are our hope in this task.

In this new paradigm, we cannot afford the luxury of the old language of Eastversus West. Kenya is aligned to neither; we are, firmly and irreversibly,aligned to progress.

Africa’s relationship with the rest of the world must be premised on mutualbenefit, where our people and our resources are leveraged to secure thegrowth of our economies and prosperity for all.

Ladies and Gentlemen,As large parts of the world age, Africa grows younger by the day. The youthfulsons and daughters of Africa are our incredible resource. They are reaching fora new future in which their innovation and curiosity will transform the world.Kenya typifies this change.

Kenyans, using their mobile phone airtime inspired the development of MPESA,now the world’s leading mobile money platform.

This ingenuity is also exemplified by Julius Yego, who logged onto YouTubeusing an old mobile phone, and learned how to throw the javelin: this year herecorded the world’s longest throw.

M-KOPA, a new Kenyan innovation, has brought the benefits of solar lighting tohundreds of thousands of rural homes, enabling our children to study afterschool, relieving our mothers from the burden of fetching firewood and burningkerosene late into the night.

These examples demonstrate the ability of this continent to transformchallenges into opportunities.

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, we are a resilient and brave people. Youare aware, nearly two years ago the Westgate Mall in Nairobi was the scene ofa heart-breaking act of criminal brutality.

To the world, it became an emblem of extremist violence and terrorism.

I am proud to inform you that a week ago, it reopened and its flagship storeproceeded to record more sales on the first day than on any other in the Mall’shistory......

We rose above our pain, and resolved to keep marching forward. We are trulya nation that shames its saboteurs and detractors.

Mr. President, the democractic space in Kenya was secured by a transformationin governance.

Our people aspired for a new constitutional dispensation, which myGovernment has implemented in both letter and spirit. In just two years, wehave fully devolved government and brought services closer to the people.

From the big cities of Nairobi and Mombasa to the promising towns of Isiolo andMachakos, the impact of devolution means that no part of the country is leftbehind; that national prosperity will be shared in every corner of our land.

Mr. President, Fellow Entrepreneurs,Africa is the world’s newest and most promising frontier of limitless opportunity.Gone are the days when the only lens to view our continent was one of despairand indignity.

Mr President,This country, this continent, does not claim perfection – but we can claimprogress. The key insight is to see that we are at the beginning of a greatjourney. It is one that we invite you to join us.We see, as clearly as anyone, that true opportunity demands the respect forhuman dignity, fundamental rights and the protection of democratic ideals.

These shared values are the bridge between the peoples of our differentcontinents, cultures and creeds that are gathered here today.

Let me conclude by saying that aside from participating in this Summit, Iencourage all of you to go out and see for yourselves, the enchanting beautyand promise of this country.

You will discover that Kenya is a hotbed of vibrant culture, spectacular naturalbeauty, and infinite possibility. Let the world hear a simple message: thenarrative of African despair and indignity is false -- indeed, it was never true.Mr. President and to all of you gathered here, today let that narrative change.

When you go home and as you travel around the world, tell those whom youmeet about what you have seen in Kenya. Share your experiences and letthem know that Africa is open and ready for business.

It is now my pleasure to introduce my co-host, the leader of the United Statesof America — President Barack Obama!