Nairobi to Host Africa Forward Summit on Innovation and Growth

Addis Ababa, April 27, 2026 —Kenya and France will jointly host the Africa Forward Summit on innovation from 11 to 12 May 2026, in Nairobi.

The submit will bring together leaders, investors, and innovators to deepen cooperation on development, technology, and inclusive economic growth.

The high-level gathering will be co-led by President William Ruto and President Emmanuel Macron, marking the first major France-Africa summit hosted with an English-speaking African nation.

The meeting is expected to signal a renewed partnership approach focused on innovation, investment flows, and more balanced global relations.

Building on earlier engagements and feeding into France’s 2026 G7 presidency, the summit will address key global and continental priorities, including development financing, peace and security, fair global governance, sustainable economic models, green energy transition, AI-driven agriculture for food security, and youth skills development.

A major highlight will be a Business Forum scheduled for May 11 at the University of Nairobi, expected to attract about 1,500 business leaders, investors, and innovators.

The forum is designed to connect private sector initiatives with employment creation and enterprise growth opportunities across Africa.

In a press briefing today, Kenyan Ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union, Galma Mukhe Boru, emphasized that the summit comes at a time of rapid global change.

“The Africa Forward Summit comes at a time when the world is undergoing profound transformation from climate change to technological disruption, to food security and global economic reform,” he said.

He further stated that coordinated action is now essential, noting that “Africa today is a continent of opportunity, home to a youthful population, expanding digital economies and growing innovation ecosystems.”

Boru also emphasized Kenya’s pride in hosting the event, saying it goes beyond “historical and linguistic divides,” with the Business Forum placing “the private sector at the center of the summit.”

French Ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union, Alexis Lamek, on his part underscored the inclusive nature of the initiative, stating, “this Africa Forward Summit will illustrate the rich diversity of relations between Africa and France, which are relations built around a wide variety of actors.”

He further noted that nearly 400 young participants from across Africa will attend, including youth leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, creators, and members of the diaspora.

According to him, the discussions will also contribute to France’s G7 agenda, particularly efforts to “reform international institutions in order to improve Africa’s representation in global governance.”

Alongside policy dialogues, the summit will feature youth-led initiatives, cultural exchanges in sports, arts, and fashion, as well as investment showcases, positioning Africa as an emerging global hub for innovation and opportunity.