11 – 12 May 2026 — Nairobi, Kenya
Africa is not waiting.
It is building.
The Africa Forward Summit 2026, hosted jointly by Kenya and France, brings together heads of state, business leaders, and innovators to forge a new partnership built on equal ground.
Two Days. Two Tracks.
One shared agenda.
11 May 2026
Business Forum
1,500+ business leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors. B2B matchmaking, workshops, and networking at the University of Nairobi.
Learn More12 May 2026
The Summit
Heads of state, the African Union, and 30+ CEOs. Plenaries, roundtables, and a closing communiqué at KICC, Nairobi.
Learn MoreBusiness Forum participants
Including major African and French corporate leaders, SMEs, and young entrepreneurs
Heads of State
African Heads of State and the President of France attending the Summit
Themes
Roundtables spanning energy, finance, agriculture, AI, the blue economy, health, and industrialisation
Nairobi, Kenya — Home of Africa Forward 2026
A new chapter in Africa–France partnership
Historic. Inclusive.
Action-Oriented.
The Africa Forward Summit “Africa–France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth” is a Summit of Heads of State and Government to be held on 11–12 May 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya. The Summit is co-hosted by H.E. William Samoei Ruto, C.G.H., President of the Republic of Kenya, and H.E. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic.
The Summit aims to demonstrate the African continent’s innovation capacity and affirm a shared commitment to developing common, mutually beneficial solutions based on effective multilateralism and a spirit of transformative partnership.
This Summit represents a significant opportunity for a paradigm shift to a more balanced, equitable, and mutually respectful partnership anchored on shared aspirations of effective multilateralism, transformative partnership, sustainable development and Africa’s agency in addressing pressing emerging regional and global challenges.
From the Heads of State
Welcome Messages
H.E. The President of the Republic of Kenya
Welcome message coming soon.
H.E. The President of the French Republic
Welcome message coming soon.
Seven Themes
Structuring the Summit’s agenda
Energy Transition & Green Industrialisation
A joint plenary structured around facilitating trade and investment, promoting bankable projects, and strengthening skills and talent development.
Reform of the International Financial Architecture
Improving Africa’s access to sustainable financing, risk reduction mechanisms, and fair representation within the Bretton Woods institutions, the G20, and MDBs.
Blue Economy
Three axes: strategic priorities in maritime governance and environmental security; creation of blue jobs; and decarbonisation of maritime transport.
Sustainable Agriculture
Supporting agroecological intensification, structuring value chains and balanced commercial partnerships, and cooperation on nutrition and food security.
AI & Digital Technologies
Investment in digital infrastructure, partnerships for open AI, growth of start-ups and talent training, and financing the high-tech sector.
Resilient Health Systems
Health cooperation through partnership and co-construction, strengthened local production of vaccines and medicines, and continental capacity in health.
Peace & Security
An open plenary anchored in African ownership and the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) at the centre of any partnership framework.
Host Country
Discover Nairobi
Kenya — the cradle of mankind, Africa’s Silicon Savannah, and gateway to East Africa. Experience the warmth, innovation, and natural beauty of the host country.
Discover Nairobi