Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara has arrived in Nairobi ahead of the Africa Forward Summit 2026, becoming the first Head of State to land in Kenya for the high-profile Africa-France Summit.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano received President Ouattara at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Saturday, May 9, 2026, evening, describing his arrival as the beginning of a “transformative week” for Africa-Europe relations.

“This evening, I had the distinct privilege of receiving the very first visiting Head of State for the Africa Forward Summit, receiving His Excellency Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport,” Miano wrote on X.

The Africa Forward Summit, scheduled for May 11–12 in Nairobi, is expected to attract more than 30 Heads of State and over 4,000 delegates, including investors, policymakers, innovators, and development partners from across Africa and beyond.

According to Miano, the summit marks a historic milestone as it will be the first time the Africa-France dialogue is hosted in an Anglophone African country.

“As we prepare to host over 30 Heads of State and thousands of delegates, this summit marks a historic shift, the first time this dialogue is held in an Anglophone nation,” she said.

Kenya and France are expected to co-chair discussions on reforming international financial systems, advancing digital technology and promoting green industrialisation.

“Over the next few days, Kenya and France will co-chair sessions dedicated to reforming international financial architecture, digital technology, and green industrialization,” Miano added.

She said President Ouattara’s arrival demonstrates growing momentum ahead of the summit.

“The arrival of President Ouattara signals the beginning of a transformative week for African-European relations. We are ready to showcase Kenya’s leadership and hospitality on the world stage,” she said.

Earlier, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi declared Kenya fully ready to host the summit after officially receiving the symbolic key to the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), the venue for the event.

“On 11th and 12th May, Nairobi will become the meeting point of Africa’s voice, ambition, and future as Kenya hosts the Africa Forward Summit,” Mudavadi said.

The summit will be co-hosted by President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron and is expected to focus on investment, innovation, infrastructure, and youth empowerment across the continent.