On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans for the Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth Summit, scheduled for May 11–12, 2026, in Nairobi.
The announcement followed a bilateral meeting where President Ruto emphasized the initiative’s importance for strengthening ties between the two nations.
“We reaffirmed our shared commitment to strengthening relations between Kenya and France, and to deepening multilateral cooperation that advances global goals,” he said.
The Nairobi-hosted summit, co-organized by Kenya and France, will bring together African and French heads of state and government. Its focus will be on fostering innovation, promoting economic growth, and building partnerships that offer mutual benefit.
“The Summit will bring together African and French Heads of State and Government to drive innovation, foster growth and shape a future built on mutual benefit,” Ruto stated, adding that the initiative reflects a renewed approach to relations between France and African nations based on genuine partnership and shared progress.
President Macron has highlighted the need to reset France’s Africa policy, aiming for more inclusive engagement across the continent, with attention to technology, sustainable development, and financial reform.
The choice of Nairobi as host marks a notable departure from tradition. Since 1973, the Africa-France Summit has typically been held in France or francophone African countries.
Kenya’s hosting underscores a broader effort by France to expand engagement beyond its former colonial ties and to strengthen relations with anglophone Africa. Analysts say the move signals Macron’s recalibration of France’s continental partnerships.
For Kenya, the summit is seen as a diplomatic victory, reinforcing Nairobi’s position as a hub for continental discussions on innovation, climate action, finance, and development.
The event is expected to generate actionable collaborations in technology, sustainable growth, climate adaptation, and reforms of global financial institutions.
President Ruto stressed that the summit will not only deepen multilateral cooperation but also enhance Kenya-France bilateral relations, describing it as “an opportunity to advance shared objectives and foster lasting partnerships.”