The inaugural Africa Forward Summit is under way on 11 and 12 May 2026 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya. The Summit, themed “Africa–France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth”, is co-hosted by H.E. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, and H.E. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic.
The Africa Forward Summit is a landmark gathering of African Heads of State, the President of France, the African Union, international financial institutions, and development partners — convened to produce concrete commitments and a new model of partnership between Africa and France. The summit has drawn more than 30 African heads of state and government and over 4,000 delegates. It is the first summit of its kind to be hosted and co-chaired with an English-speaking country and was announced at the 79th UN General Assembly by Presidents Ruto and Macron.
At a joint press conference held on 10 May 2026 at State House, Nairobi, President Ruto stated: “Kenya is deeply honoured to host this summit, the first to be held outside France or a Francophone African country in more than five decades.” Affirming Kenya’s independent foreign policy posture, he added: “We are not looking East or West. We are looking forward.”
The theme for 11 May is “Inspire and Connect”, with proceedings beginning at the Business Forum, which highlights the breadth of France–Africa economic partnerships. The Forum has brought together more than 1,500 business leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors for B2B matchmaking, workshops, and networking at the University of Nairobi.
Heads of State and Government will convene tomorrow, 12 May 2026, at KICC for the Opening Ceremony, a plenary on Peace and Security, thematic roundtables, and the Closing Ceremony with the adoption of the Nairobi Declaration. Closing remarks will be delivered jointly by both presidents.
12 May will be devoted to development finance and global issues, with youth employment and training, sovereignty, and competitiveness at the core of discussions. The Summit will also address peace and security in support of African mediation and African Union action.
Roundtables at the Summit cover energy, finance, agriculture, AI, the blue economy, health, and industrialisation.
The Africa Forward Summit builds on the Summit on the Financing of African Economies held in Paris in 2021, the New Global Financing Pact held in Paris in 2023, and the Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi the same year. Certain conclusions of the summit will feed into preparations for the G7 Summit, which France will host in Evian from 15 to 17 June.
Bilateral Agreements between Kenya and France
Ahead of the summit, Kenya and France signed 11 agreements aimed at deepening cooperation across strategic sectors, following bilateral talks between President Ruto and President Macron at State House Nairobi on 10 May. Among the key agreements signed was the rehabilitation and modernisation of the KSh 12.5 billion Nairobi Commuter Rail project. President Ruto also stated that the two countries agreed to deepen cooperation in digital transformation, including digital infrastructure, digital public services, cybersecurity, data systems, and artificial intelligence. A further agreement was reached to facilitate the purchase of premium Kenyan purple tea varieties and promote speciality teas across French retail networks.
