Kenya Set to Host Landmark Africa–France Summit

President William Ruto has announced that Kenya will jointly host a major Africa-France summit with France, positioning Nairobi at the centre of high-level continental and global dialogue.

The summit, titled “Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth,” will be held in Nairobi on May 11th and 12th, 2026.

The decision was confirmed on September 24, 2025, following a meeting between President Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron in New York, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week.

The move marks the end of a long-term tradition where the summit was being held in France or Francophone African countries.

Hosting the summit in Kenya reflects France’s evolving engagement strategy with Africa and highlights Kenya’s rising diplomatic stature.

Focus on Shared Global and Continental Priorities

The summit aims to strengthen Africa-France relations through partnerships grounded in mutual benefit, economic transformation, and innovation.

It will bring together African and French Heads of State and Government, international organisations, private sector leaders, youth innovators, and civil society actors.

In a statement, President Ruto said the discussions will centre on key development and policy issues.

“It will notably cover the reform of the international financial architecture, the energy transition, green industrialisation, the blue economy and connectivity, artificial intelligence, sustainable agriculture and health in both of our countries,” he said.

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Business Forum to Open the Summit

The event will officially open with a Business Forum on May 11, 2026, designed to showcase cutting-edge innovations and investment opportunities from both the African and French private sectors.

The forum will highlight success stories aligned with the summit’s thematic areas and explore new avenues for collaboration to drive sustainable growth and job creation.

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The Nairobi summit is expected to reinforce Africa’s role in shaping global solutions while deepening economic and technological cooperation between Africa and France.

President Ruto commended President Macron for supporting Africa’s call to reform the UN Security Council, including two permanent seats for the continent with full rights, including the power of veto.

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President Ruto during the opening of the two-day 7th AU-EU Summit Luanda, Angola
PHOTO/President Ruto/X