France and Kenya to Host 'Africa Forward' Summit in May

 France and Kenya will co-host the "Africa Forward" summit in Nairobi on May 11-12, dedicated to the "partnership between Africa and France," according to a joint communiqué released by the Élysée Palace.

The decision to hold the summit was confirmed by French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto during their meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September 2025.

"The Africa Forward summit is part of the renewal of relations between France and African countries, based on mutually beneficial partnerships," the Élysée Palace stated.

The summit's agenda includes discussions on reforming the international financial architecture, energy transition, green industrialization, development of the blue economy, digital connectivity, artificial intelligence, sustainable agriculture, and healthcare.

The summit will open on May 11 with a business forum.

In July 2025, France's General Secretariat for National Defense and Security (SGDSN) announced that Paris intends to update its political strategy in Africa in 2026, as well as revise the terms of its partnerships with countries on the continent. The Nairobi summit represents a key step in implementing this renewed approach to Franco-African relations.