Dates confirmed for Africa–France Summit in Nairobi
By Kenneth Mwenda, September 25, 2025Kenya will host the Africa–France Summit in Nairobi on May 11 and 12, 2026, marking the first time the gathering takes place outside France or a Francophone African nation.
The confirmation of the dates follows an earlier announcement during the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York in September 2024.
The summit, formally called Africa Forward: Africa–France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth, will bring together African and French Heads of State and Government, civil society representatives, and business leaders. It aims to drive innovation, foster economic growth, and build new models of partnership between Africa and France.
On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, President Ruto announced that the summit will take place in Nairobi in May 2026. Taking to his X account, he said Kenya and France share a commitment to advancing multilateral cooperation and addressing global challenges through stronger partnerships.
“Together, we announced that Kenya and France will co-host the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi on 11 and 12 May 2026. The Summit will bring together African and French Heads of State and Government to drive innovation, foster growth, and shape a future built on mutual benefit,” he posted.
Preparations for Nairobi Summit
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei has already met organisers of the event as preparations gather pace.
In April 2025, he held talks in Nairobi with Jeremie Blin, the Secretary General of the France–Africa Summit, and France’s ambassador to Kenya, Arnaud Suquet. Kenyan coordinators Ambassador Ben Oguttu and Professor Waithaka Iraki also took part in the meeting.
Sing’oei described the summit as a key platform that will help reimagine Africa’s relationship with France in a world facing complex challenges.
The Africa–France Summit has been held since 1973, traditionally in France or Francophone African countries.
Its relocation to Nairobi is seen as a historic shift, recognising Kenya’s rising diplomatic profile and its active role in climate and financial reform debates.
The decision also shows France’s intention to strengthen ties with Anglophone Africa at a time when its influence in parts of West Africa has come under strain.
The summit will centre on global finance reforms, environmental action, and international cooperation. Leaders are expected to discuss ways of improving the governance of financial institutions and building systems that respond better to the planetary crisis.