French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday briefly interrupted proceedings at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi to reprimand attendees for making noise while speakers and artists addressed the audience.

Macron stopped the session midway and urged delegates to show respect to speakers on stage, saying the disruptions were inappropriate during discussions focused on culture and youth voices.

The remarks drew applause from sections of the audience as order was restored and the session resumed.

“Excuse me, everybody, hey, hey. I’m sorry, but it is impossible to speak about culture and to have people like that super inspired coming here, making a speech with such noise. This is a total lack of respect,” Macron told the audience.

“I suggest that if you want to have a chat about something else, you have bilateral rooms or you go outside. If you want to stay here, listen to the people, and we will play the same game. Thank you.”

Emmanuel Macron is in Kenya for the Africa Forward Summit, a two-day meeting being co-hosted by William Ruto and France on May 11 and 12.

The summit has been billed as a major platform aimed at reshaping relations between Africa and France while strengthening cooperation on economic development, innovation, investment and global governance.

The summit has brought together African Heads of State, representatives of the African Union, international financial institutions, development partners, investors, business leaders, innovators and creatives.

Organisers say the meeting seeks to establish a new partnership framework between Africa and France based on equality, mutual respect and shared prosperity.

The event is being held under the High Patronage of Presidents Macron and Ruto and is co-organised by Bpifrance, Business France and Proparco.

More than 1,500 economic and institutional leaders from Africa and France are expected to attend the summit.

The forum will focus on showcasing Africa’s innovation capacity and advancing solutions to emerging challenges facing the continent and the world.

The summit comes at a time when African nations are increasingly pushing for greater agency in global decision-making, climate financing, trade and sustainable development.

Ruto, in his welcoming message ahead of the summit, described the gathering as a historic opportunity to shape the future of Africa’s partnerships with the rest of the world.

“It is my distinct honour to warmly welcome you to Nairobi, Kenya, for the inaugural Africa Forward Summit, co-hosted by Kenya and France at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre and the University of Nairobi on the 11th and 12th of May 2026,” Ruto said.

“Kenya, the cradle of humankind, is proud to host you once again on African soil, a place where history began, and where the future is being actively shaped.”

Macron also underscored the significance of the summit, saying it marked a major step in efforts to redefine relations between France and Africa.

“Since 2017, we have been working on overhauling the Africa–France relationship. We wish to build partnerships on an equal footing, founded on shared interests and tangible results,” Macron said.

“The Africa Forward Summit will be a significant milestone in that endeavour. For the first time, France and an English-speaking African country will co-chair this event, symbolising an open and future-focused relationship.”