Kenya, France rally Africa’s future around innovation and shared prosperity
The African continent is set to hugely benefit from the Africa Forward Summit, which wrapped up in Nairobi, Kenya after a two-day intensive workshop.
The workshop, which presented a unique opportunity for Africa and France to forge a forward-looking partnership that delivers shared progress while advancing the continent’s long-term economic transformation, was seen as the much-anticipated breakthrough the continent has been yearning for.
While hosting at least 30 heads of state in Nairobi, the Kenyan President and host, Dr. William Ruto, said the continent was clear on what must be achieved to unlock Africa’s vast potential and drive transformation.
“This includes domestic mobilisation of resources for Africa’s development at scale, reform of the international financial architecture, and development of transport, logistics, and connectivity infrastructure.
Others are energy transition and green industrialisation, and youth skills development to foster creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, and AI-driven transformation,” he revealed.
He also hinted that the times before Africa demand strong cooperation, renewed multilateralism, and partnerships grounded not in hierarchy, but mutual respect and shared responsibility.
It is in this spirit that Africa, as a continent, convened this summit in its shared conviction that enduring partnerships must not be built on dependence but on sovereign equity; not on aid or charity but on mutually beneficial investments; and not on extraction or exploitation but on win-win engagements.
“Tonight in Nairobi, we gather not only to celebrate the enduring bonds between Africa and France, but also to usher in a bold new era of partnership anchored in shared prosperity, mutual respect, and opportunity for our citizens.”
The remarks were made during the opening of the Africa Forward Summit at KICC, Nairobi, co-chaired with President Emmanuel Macron of France.
Present were Presidents Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Alassane Ouattara (Côte d’Ivoire), Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (Egypt), Faustin-Archange Touadéra (Central African Republic), Azali Assoumani (Comoros), Mohamed Ould Ghazouani (Mauritania), Mohamed al-Menfi (Libya), and King Letsie III (Lesotho).
Also present were Hakainde Hichilema (Zambia), Mamady Doumbouya (Guinea), Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Nigeria), Joseph Boakai (Liberia), Bassirou Diomaye Faye (Senegal), Mahamat Idriss Déby (Chad), Duma Boko (Botswana), Dharambeer Gokhool (Mauritius), John Dramani Mahama (Ghana), Daniel Chapo (Mozambique), Michael Randrianirina (Madagascar), Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (Ethiopia), and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Others included Prime Ministers Aziz Akhannouch (Morocco), Russell Dlamini (Eswatini), Américo Ramos (São Tomé and Príncipe), Sara Zaafarani Zenzri (Tunisia), Mwigulu Nchemba (Tanzania), and African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.
Vice presidents, ambassadors, heads of delegations, country representatives, and development partners, among others, also attended the summit.
While at Kenya’s State House in Nairobi, President Ruto had the honour of hosting a state banquet for the heads of state and government attending the inaugural Africa Forward Summit 2026.
“On behalf of the government and the people of Kenya, I extend a warm welcome and deepest appreciation for your presence, engagement, and commitment to advancing a stronger and more prosperous future for Africa and its global partners, and it is my prayer that this summit will not only strengthen our common resolve but also deepen the spirit of cooperation that unites us,” he said.
Earlier on, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for the State Department of Higher Education and Research, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, accompanied Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba in welcoming President Dr. William Ruto of Kenya and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron when they officially opened the business forum at the Africa Forward Summit held at the University of Nairobi (UON), where the platform featured high-level engagements and transformative conversations based on artificial intelligence (AI), innovation, and Africa’s digital future.
It brought together over 700 young people, including innovators, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and leaders drawn from across the continent.
In her words, she described the forum as one set to transform the continent to the next level.
“It was truly inspiring to witness all the energy, creativity, and forward-thinking spirit of Africa’s young generation, a true reflection of a continent that is daring, inclusive, and ready to be part of shaping the future.”
The PS said that at the forum they also discussed and established the true status of the engineering and science complex project, which was funded by the French government.
She hinted that once completed and operationalised, the project will play a vital role in advancing engineering and science education, research, training, and innovation within Kenya’s higher learning institutions, which she oversees.
