Why Bomas of Kenya is not ready to host 2026 Africa-France Summit
By Aloys Michael, April 23, 2026The Bomas of Kenya will not be ready in time to host the 2026 Africa–France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth Summit, a parliamentary committee has confirmed.
The high-level, two-day summit is set to take place on May 11–12, 2026.
During an inspection visit on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, members of the National Assembly Committee on Tourism and Wildlife were informed that ongoing large-scale renovations at the venue would not be completed before the scheduled event, raising concerns about preparedness and the need for alternative arrangements.
Tourism Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa told the committee, led by Vice-Chairperson Bedzimba Rashid, that the ongoing facelift will miss the summit deadline.
“Our inspection has established that the works will not be completed within the stipulated timeframe,” Rashid said.
Despite the setback, the committee expressed satisfaction with both the progress and quality of the reconstruction works, noting that the project is delivering value for money.
“The Committee is satisfied that there is value for money in the project, which is aimed at transforming Bomas into a world-class facility,” he said.
Lawmakers reaffirmed their backing for the government’s plan to upgrade the venue into the Bomas International Convention Centre (BICC), pledging continued oversight to ensure prudent use of public funds.
Khamis Chome noted that relocating the Africa–France summit was a practical decision, given the venue’s unavailability.
“Changing the venue for the summit from Bomas was a pragmatic decision that will ensure the multi-billion-dollar project is implemented without pressure,” he said.
Meanwhile, Taib Abubakar highlighted the project’s potential to create employment opportunities for young people once completed.
Ololtuaa described the redevelopment as a landmark initiative that will significantly enhance Kenya’s tourism and conference hosting capacity.
“Once complete, the BICC will position Kenya as a premier destination for high-level national and international events,” he said, adding that the project has benefited from consistent support from the committee.
The summit
Kenya and France had signalled a new wave of high-impact strategic partnerships across Africa as preparations intensify for the Africa Forward Summit (AFS) 2026, following a high-level engagement with the Kenya Editors Guild.
In a decisive shift from dialogue to delivery, the summit is positioning itself as a deal-making platform, expected to step up mutual investment and unlock partnerships across AI and digital innovation, nuclear and renewable energy, health manufacturing, infrastructure, transport, agriculture, and the creative economy – sectors critical to Africa’s long-term growth.
With between 1,500 and 2,000 global CEOs and business leaders anticipated, the Africa Forward Summit 2026 is emerging as one of the largest Africa–Europe investment convenings in recent years.
Speaking during the engagement, Korir Sing’Oei, Principal Secretary, State Department for Foreign Affairs, emphasised the need to re-frame the Africa–France relationship in place of old stereotypes and barriers to progress that can limit innovation, constrain partnerships, and ultimately slow down development.
“France is looking for a new relationship with Africa, one that is grounded in mutual respect, shared opportunity, and practical outcomes. We must consciously move away from pre-written narratives that have historically defined this relationship. Africa Forward Summit is about breaking these barriers and focusing on solutions,” Sing’Oei said.