By Magdalene Wanja - Reporter
Kenya, May 08, 2026 - Nairobi is set to host the Africa Forward Summit: Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth on May 11 and 12, 2026, in what organisers describe as a new chapter in relations between France and the Kenya-led African bloc.
The high-level summit is expected to convene heads of state, investors, innovators, youth leaders, creatives, and civil society actors to explore partnerships aimed at accelerating economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development across the continent.
Unlike previous France-Africa engagements, the Nairobi summit will be the first to be jointly hosted with an English-speaking African country, a move officials say reflects changing dynamics in Africa-Europe relations and the growing role of East Africa in global diplomacy and trade.
Organisers say the summit comes nearly a decade after the French President’s landmark Ouagadougou address, which called for a reset in France’s engagement with Africa.
This year’s forum is expected to shift the conversation from political symbolism to investment-driven cooperation and practical outcomes.
Speaking on Friday, Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Abraham Sing'Oei said the summit is designed to deliver measurable economic results rather than declarations alone.
“We are expecting to conclude up to 40 deals from the summit, and beyond the announcements, we want to ensure there is real follow-through that creates opportunities, jobs and tangible economic value,” he said.
Discussions will focus on sectors seen as critical to Africa’s future, including healthcare systems, food security, digital innovation, energy access, and regional connectivity.
Organisers also expect the summit to unlock new financing opportunities and strengthen trade and investment flows between African economies and France.
More from Kenya
French Ambassador to Kenya Arnaud Suquet said the gathering signals a shift toward partnerships based on mutual interests and shared prosperity.
“This summit represents a modern partnership built on innovation, inclusivity and respect. It is about creating solutions together while moving away from outdated approaches to international cooperation,” Suquet said.
The blue economy is also emerging as a central pillar of the discussions, with officials highlighting Africa’s vast but underutilised marine and coastal resources.
Kenya and France are expected to push for stronger collaboration in maritime trade, ocean conservation, tourism, and sustainable exploitation of marine resources.
Beyond diplomacy and business, the summit will feature strong participation from young entrepreneurs, artists, and diaspora communities, reflecting a broader effort to strengthen people-to-people ties alongside government and commercial partnerships.
With Nairobi hosting leaders and investors from across the continent and Europe, the summit is expected to reinforce the city’s growing profile as a regional centre for diplomacy, innovation, and global investment dialogue.
The Africa-France partnership has evolved significantly in recent years as African countries seek more balanced international relationships centred on trade, investment, technology transfer, and local development.
France has increasingly repositioned its engagement with Africa toward economic cooperation, entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange, while African nations continue to push for greater representation and fairness in global governance structures.