The Summit — 12 May 2026 — KICC, Nairobi
A new partnership.
Built on equal ground.
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 cooperation between Africa and France.
Head-of-State Authority
Announced at the 79th UN General Assembly by Presidents Ruto and Macron. Closing remarks will be delivered jointly by both presidents.
From Dialogue to Delivery
The Summit’s mandate is concrete commitments — not declarations. Every roundtable is designed to produce bankable, scalable, implementable outcomes.
Who Participates
Heads of State & Government
African heads of state and the President of France, convening at the highest diplomatic level.
African Union
Continental body ensuring pan-African representation and alignment with Agenda 2063 priorities.
European Union
Strengthening the Africa-EU partnership through trade, investment, and multilateral cooperation frameworks.
International Financial Institutions
Development banks and multilateral lenders driving reform of the global financial architecture for Africa.
Private Sector CEOs
Approximately 30 leading chief executives from Africa and France, driving investment and partnership commitments.
Civil Society & Youth
Representatives from civil society organisations and youth leaders shaping the future of Africa-France relations.
Seven Themes. One 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.
Programme
The detailed Summit programme is being finalised and will be published in due course. The Summit will take place on 12 May 2026 at KICC, Nairobi.
View ProgrammeFirst Ladies’ Programme
Details of the First Ladies’ programme will be announced shortly. Check back for updates.
Featured Speakers
Category
Heads of State
African heads of state and the President of France
Category
Ministers
Government ministers leading policy discussions and roundtables
Category
CEOs & Business Leaders
~30 leading chief executives from Africa and France
Be part of a historic moment
The Africa Forward Summit is an invitation to shape the future of Africa-France relations. Request accreditation to participate.