Kenya and France to Co-Host Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi in May 2026

President William Ruto of Kenya and President Emmanuel Macron of France will jointly host the Africa Forward Summit 2026, which is scheduled to take place in Nairobi from 10 to 12 May 2026. Approximately 4,000 African and French delegates will converge on the Kenyan capital for the event.

The summit will bring together Heads of State, senior government officials, business leaders, innovators, development partners, civil society and the media.

These participants will engage in high-level dialogue on Africa's economic transformation, strategic partnerships, and sustainable development. Discussions will address multiple topics in rural development, including mobilizing private capital, strengthening partnerships in sustainable agriculture, and developing the blue economy.

The 2026 Summit will also focus on strengthening Africa's global partnerships, expanding trade and investment opportunities, and accelerating innovation across key sectors across the continent.

At a media roundtable organized by the Africa Forward Summit Secretariat, the conveners explained that the discussions will include opportunities in the blue economy, agriculture, global health and emerging prospects in artificial intelligence. AllAfrica reported that the conveners framed these areas as central to the three-day programme.

The meeting will end on Tuesday 12 May 2026 with the Nairobi Declaration, a landmark commitment adopted by Kenya and France which would prioritize cooperation for shared prosperity.

The declaration is expected to formalise joint priorities emerging from the dialogue between the two countries and their invited partners. The article detailing the plans was published on 7 May 2026 by Agbonkhese Oboh for Vanguard and distributed by AllAfrica.