Ruto and Macron tour UoN as Africa Forward Summit kicks off
By Mustafa Juma, May 11, 2026President William Ruto and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Monday morning, May 11, 2026, toured the University of Nairobi (UoN) as activities for the Africa Forward Summit officially got underway in Nairobi.
The two leaders visited the university for an exhibition of the proposed Engineering and Science Complex, a major project expected to strengthen research, innovation, and higher education collaboration between Kenya and France.
They were received by the university’s Acting Vice Chancellor, Margaret Jesang’ Hutchinson, who took them through the proposed architectural design of the facility.
France-backed project at Chiromo Campus
According to Prof. Hutchinson, the modern complex will be constructed at the university’s Chiromo campus through collaboration between the Kenyan and French governments.
She explained that the project combines advanced French technology with Kenyan cultural and lifestyle elements.
“I want to take this opportunity to present to you the architectural model of the Engineering and Science Complex that is being designed to be constructed at the beautiful Chiromo campus, which is just a few metres from here. This complex has taken in cutting-edge technologies from France but also unique cultures and lifestyles of Kenyans,” Prof Hutchinson explained.
Focus on science and innovation
The proposed complex is expected to house modern laboratories, classrooms, and administrative facilities aimed at boosting engineering, scientific research, and technological innovation.
“What we have done is to see this developed by French universities over a one-year period on how we can construct this engineering and science complex over a seven-acre plot, but the building itself is about 30,000 square metres. We will have a set of laboratories and classrooms, and we will also have an administrative block as we enter the complex,” Prof Hutchinson revealed.
The development also reflects growing cooperation between Kenya and France in areas including education, infrastructure, technology, energy, and digital transformation.
Africa Forward Summit underway
The visit to the University of Nairobi came as Nairobi hosts the Africa Forward Summit, a high-profile gathering bringing together heads of state, business leaders, investors, and policymakers from across Africa and beyond.
The summit is expected to focus on issues such as artificial intelligence, infrastructure, climate action, manufacturing, green energy, youth employment, and economic transformation.
Kenya is hosting the summit as part of efforts to position itself as a regional hub for diplomacy, innovation, and international investment.
Growing Kenya-France partnership
President Macron’s visit to Kenya has already seen the signing of 11 bilateral agreements between the two countries covering transport, aviation, digital transformation, agriculture, nuclear energy, meteorological services, and the blue economy.
Among the flagship projects announced is the modernisation of the Nairobi Central Station to Embakasi Rail Line 5 project, aimed at improving urban transport connectivity in the capital.