Africa Forward Summit: Mudavadi pushes for stronger African voice in global economy
By Mustafa Juma, May 11, 2026Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi has called for a stronger and more united African voice in global economic affairs.
Speaking during an interview with a local TV station on the night of Sunday, May 10, 2026, ahead of the Africa Forward Summit that kicks off this morning, Mudavadi said the continent must move beyond being viewed merely as a source of raw materials and instead focus on manufacturing, value addition, and fair partnerships.
He said Africa’s negotiating strength has matured, and the continent must now engage the rest of the world on more equal terms.
Africa’s negotiating skills
Mudavadi noted that the summit provides African nations with an opportunity to shape a more coherent continental agenda and redefine their role in the global economy.
“The plan is to make sure that out of this gathering, we can gain more coherence as Africa, have a stronger and purposeful narrative, and to say our negotiating skills have come of age,” he stated.
According to him, African countries must now pursue partnerships that prioritise industrialisation, manufacturing, and local value creation rather than exporting raw materials with minimal returns.
Call for value addition
The Prime CS stressed that Africa should no longer remain a continent associated mainly with the extraction of raw materials for foreign markets.
“We want to engage in Africa and the rest of the world on a more better footing. We are not just a continent of extraction; we want to enhance manufacturing and value addition here, we want to tell the world that in this value chain, it is time we gained more value and held less of the chain,” Mudavadi said.
He added that African countries are increasingly seeking a larger share of value chains tied to their natural resources and economic output.
Kenya-France relations highlighted
Mudavadi also underscored the long-standing diplomatic relationship between Kenya and France, noting that France was among the first countries to recognise Kenya’s independence in 1963.
He said France has remained a key development and investment partner over the decades, with numerous French businesses operating in Kenya.
“The French have been with us since 1963. France was one of the first countries to recognise Kenya’s independence, and France has invested heavily in Kenya; there are a lot of businesses,” he said.
Summit hosted outside Francophone Africa for first time
The Africa Forward Summit marks the first time the high-level gathering is being hosted in a non-Francophone African country, a move Mudavadi described as symbolic of strengthening ties between Anglophone and Francophone Africa.
He dismissed suggestions that Kenya was shifting alliances, saying the summit instead reflects a broader push for African unity and stronger continental cooperation.
“We are not ditching Francophone for Anglophone,” he said.
Focus of the summit
The summit has brought together heads of state, investors, policymakers, diplomats, and business leaders to discuss Africa’s future in areas such as artificial intelligence, green energy, climate action, trade, manufacturing, infrastructure, and youth employment.
Among the leaders attending are Emmanuel Macron, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, and Azali Assoumani.
Kenya is using the summit to strengthen its profile as a diplomatic, economic, and innovation hub within Africa.
Government officials say the discussions taking place in Nairobi could help shape future trade partnerships, industrial growth strategies, and investment frameworks across the continent.