Nairobi hosts landmark Africa Forward Summit 2026 to deepen Africa–France partnerships
Date: 2026-05-11
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Kenya’s capital city Nairobi
is hosting the Africa Forward Summit 2026, a major Africa–France engagement
bringing together political leaders, investors, business executives,
development partners and innovators to discuss investment, technology and
economic cooperation.
The summit, taking place at
the Kenyatta International Convention Centre on May 11 and 12, is being
co-hosted by William Ruto and Emmanuel Macron under the theme “Africa–France
Partnerships for Innovation and Growth.”
According to the Office of
Kenya's Special Envoy for Climate Change, the summit marks the first time the
event has been hosted in an Anglophone African country, signaling a new phase
in relations between Africa and France.
Discussions at the summit
are focusing on private capital mobilisation, technology, infrastructure
development, rural transformation and the blue economy as both regions seek to
strengthen economic cooperation and investment partnerships.
Organisers said the summit
reflects a shift toward a model of co-investment and shared prosperity between
Africa and France, moving beyond traditional engagement frameworks.
The event has attracted
Heads of State, international investors and business leaders from across Africa
and Europe, with expectations that the engagements will help unlock new
partnerships and opportunities for innovation-led growth across the continent.
