US President Barack Obama has said his visit to Kenya in July will have long term benefits for years to come, especially for the youth.
Obama said the 2015 Global Entrepreneurship Summit will give him an opportunity to interact with “brilliant, young entrepreneurs.”
“If enough people respond to the summit challenge then we will be able to announce new investments and commitments that will pay off for years to come,” he said.
“We want to empower people in ways that empower the society and the world. We want to empower pioneers and women of social change.”
He made the remarks on Monday at the White House Global Entrepreneurship event held in the South Court auditorium.
The White House organised the event as a means of brainstorming ideas to spark entrepreneurship with Africa ahead of the summit.
The United States and Kenya will co-host the summit, taking place for the first time in sub-Saharan Africa, from July 24 to 26.
Obama is expected to participate in the conference and hold bilateral meetings with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Organised annually since 2009, the summit has connected emerging entrepreneurs with leaders from international organisations and governments looking to support them.
Obama’s visit, announced by US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec in March, will be his first to his motherland.
It follows an invitation from Uhuru in December 2014.
