By Andrew Kariuki

Kenya is set to host the Africa Forward Summit on May 11–12, 2026, in partnership with France, bringing together African leaders, investors and business executives for high-level talks on trade, investment and global cooperation.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said the country is fully prepared to host what is expected to be one of Kenya’s largest diplomatic and economic events.

The summit will be co-hosted by President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron and is expected to attract more than 30 heads of state and government alongside over 1,500 business leaders, innovators and investors from Africa and France.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Abraham Korir Sing’oei said the two-day programme will begin on May 11 with a business forum themed “Inspire and Connect”, featuring business-to-business matchmaking sessions, workshops and sector-focused discussions.

The Heads of State Summit will then take place on May 12 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), where leaders are expected to hold plenary sessions and roundtable discussions before adopting the Nairobi Declaration.

According to officials, discussions during the summit will focus on seven key areas including energy transition and green industrialisation, reform of the international financial system, blue economy, sustainable agriculture, artificial intelligence and digital technologies, resilient healthcare systems, as well as peace and security.

Sing’oei said the Nairobi Declaration will outline Africa’s shared priorities and recommendations ahead of the G7 Summit scheduled to take place in Évian, France, in June 2026.