The Africa Forward Summit came to a close in Nairobi Kenya on 12 May with over 30 African Heads of State and Government setting out an actionable framework to advance a renewed Africa–France partnership anchored on parity, mutual respect, co-investment, and delivery.
Co-chaired by H.E. William Samoei Ruto, President of Kenya, and H.E. Emmanuel Macron, President of France, the summit received business leaders, development finance institutions, innovators, youth leaders, and civil society representatives from Africa, France, and across the globe.
Hosted for the first time in a non-Francophone African country, the Summit marked a deliberate shift to a future-oriented partnership focused on shared prosperity, industrial transformation, innovation, and sustainable development.
Through the Nairobi Declaration the leaders committed to accelerating investments across priority sectors critical to Africa’s development trajectory while reaffirming Africa’s position not as a recipient of development support, but as a strategic global partner and co-architect of solutions to emerging global challenges.
Discussions across the thematic roundtables also underscored the importance of unlocking Africa’s blue economy potential, modernizing agricultural value chains, scaling artificial intelligence and digital innovation, strengthening pharmaceutical manufacturing, and expanding resilient public health systems.
On peace and security, the delegates emphasized that peace will only come through the unity of the African continent which would lead to better representation in international bodies. They also highlighted that African Union should have greater capacity and resources to develop its own peace and security operations and mediation efforts.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Ruto said “Africa is no longer seeking partnerships built on dependency or historical obligation. We are building partnerships grounded in mutual respect, shared prosperity, and co-investment. The Nairobi Declaration reflects a shared commitment to move from conversation to implementation and to position Africa as a central driver of global growth and innovation.”
President Macron added: “France believes in a renewed partnership with Africa focusing on delivering peace, prosperity, and sovereignty for all. The Africa Forward Summit was a great demonstration that together, as partners, we can empower each other to devise our own solutions, harness our resources and champion our talents. This is the future of Africa–France relations.”
The Heads of State and Government Summit built on the momentum generated during the Africa Forward: Inspire & Connect Business Forum held on 11 May at the University of Nairobi, which convened over 700 business leaders and resulted in over EUR 23 billion in announced investment commitments, partnerships, and commercial agreements across energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, agribusiness, financial services, digital innovation, and logistics sectors
The Africa Forward Summit marks a defining moment in repositioning Africa–France cooperation around practical delivery, co-industrialization, and measurable partnerships capable of creating jobs, expanding opportunity, and strengthening economic resilience. This ambitious agenda will be championed by France and Kenya at the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, 15–17 June. (African Media Agency)
Heads of State and Co-Chairs of The Africa Forward Summit, French President Emmanuel Macron (left) and William Samoei Ruto, President of Kenya (right), share the stage as they deliver the key outcomes during the closing Ceremony of The Africa Forward Summit 2026 at Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya on 12 May.
