Several Heads of State and Government have arrived in Nairobi for the Africa Forward Summit, co-hosted by Kenya and France. The high-level gathering, scheduled for May 11 and 12, 2026, is set to focus on advancing trade, investment, and industrial growth across the African continent.
Presidents, Prime Ministers, and other dignitaries began arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Saturday evening. By Sunday night, French President Emmanuel Macron and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres had touched down in Nairobi ahead of the two-day summit.
Among the leaders who arrived on Sunday were Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Gabon’s General Brice Oligui Nguema, Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, Liberia’s President Nyuma Boakai, and Côte d’Ivoire’s President Alassane Ouattara.
Also in attendance are Aziz Akhannouch, Head of Government of the Kingdom of Morocco, and Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam.
The Africa Forward Summit aims to bring together African and French leaders, investors, and business executives to explore new pathways for economic collaboration.
Central to the discussions will be strategies to attract greater investment into key sectors such as manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, technology, and logistics, while ensuring that more economic value is retained within Africa.
In the lead-up to the summit, Kenya and France signed 11 agreements designed to deepen cooperation across strategic sectors. The agreements followed bilateral talks between President William Ruto and President Emmanuel Macron, underscoring the growing partnership between the two nations.
During the summit, President Ruto is also expected to join UN Secretary-General António Guterres for the inauguration of the United Nations’ Nairobi Expansion Project at the UN Office in Gigiri.
Approved by UN member states in December 2023, the $340 million (approximately Ksh.43.8 billion) project will significantly enhance the UN’s presence in Kenya.
The expansion includes a $265.6 million (Ksh.34.3 billion) upgrade of the conference facilities at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) and a $74.5 million (Ksh.9.6 billion) refurbishment of office blocks. The project is expected to strengthen Nairobi’s position as a global diplomatic and multilateral hub.
The Africa Forward Summit marks a pivotal moment for Africa–France relations, with leaders expected to unveil new frameworks for sustainable growth and inclusive development across the continent.
