Africa's gateway forward: A historic summit reshapes the future of the Kenyan-French partnership

Written by Omnia Hassan

The capital is preparing  Kenyan Nairobi will host a major political and economic event on May 11 and 12, 2026, namely the “Africa Forward – Africa Forward Partnerships between Africa and France for Innovation and Growth” summit, which is jointly organized by Kenya and France.

The summit brings together an elite group of African heads of state and government, including President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, along with the French president, in a move that reflects the profound transformation in relations between Paris and the African continent in recent years.

This summit is of particular importance as it is the first of its kind to be hosted and co-chaired by a country  African  English-speaking, in a clear indication of the breadth and diversity of African partnerships.

A new chapter in Franco-African relations

The “Africa Forward” summit comes nearly a decade after the French president’s historic speech in Ouagadougou, and represents a turning point in reshaping relations between France and Africa on more balanced and realistic foundations.

It is also an extension of a series of international summits, including the Paris Summit on Financing African Economies in 2021, the Climate Finance and New Global Economy Summit in 2023, as well as the African Union and European Union summits in Brussels and Luanda.

New partnerships towards more equitable and balanced development

The summit is based on a vision aimed at building strong and balanced partnerships between Africa and France, which will promote economic development and serve common interests.

These partnerships seek to establish a new model of global governance that is fairer and more inclusive, rejects the logic of narrow blocs and exploitative practices, and places sustainable development at the heart of international cooperation.

A summit that reflects the diversity of African actors

One of the most notable features of the summit is that it reflects a wide diversity of participants, as it is not limited to political leaders only, but also includes companies, youth, artists, civil society organizations and African communities around the world.

Hundreds of influential figures from across the continent, including entrepreneurs, athletes, creators and influencers, will be hosted, underscoring that the future of Franco-African relations is no longer the sole domain of traditional diplomacy.

The economy is at the heart of the discussions.

The summit's agenda is primarily focused on economic issues, through an expanded business forum and sessions dedicated to sports, cultural and creative industries, and youth.

The focus will be on vital files such as:

Strengthening health systems

Food sovereignty

Digital transformation and competitiveness

Energy and Communication

Financing Sustainable Development

The summit will also address innovative solutions that combine climate protection and job creation, within a framework that balances environmental transformation and economic justice.

Kenya and France: A partnership leading the transformation

Kenya plays a pivotal role in this summit, as a key partner of France in Africa, with both countries sharing common visions on reforming the global financial system and strengthening Africa’s presence in international governance.

This summit comes to confirm this rapprochement and reflects the growing cooperation between Nairobi and Paris on regional and international issues.

Youth are at the forefront of the scene

The summit gives central space to African youth, as they are the largest demographic force on the continent, making up about 70% of the population under the age of 35.

Young people, entrepreneurs and innovators will have a direct platform to showcase their ideas and projects, in a move aimed at transforming them from recipients of development to its creators.

A new French vision towards Africa

The summit reflects a shift in French policy towards Africa in recent years, focusing on:

Supporting entrepreneurship and innovation

Strengthening economic partnerships

Reducing reliance on traditional relationships

Restructuring military cooperation towards training and capacity building

France also affirms its commitment to increasing investments in the continent, as it is one of the largest investors in Africa, with trade volume exceeding 65 billion euros in 2024.