In spite of initial misgivings of some African countries against France, participants at the Africa Forward Summit, which ended on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 with the Nairobi Declaration, affirmed that it was a landmark commitment adopted by Kenya and France to prioritize cooperation between Africa and France for what both countries termed ‘shared prosperity’
By Edu Abade
Even with growing anti-French sentiment across West and Central Africa, France may gain some new friends on the continent through strategic partnerships that it says will prioritize respect and mutual benefit for French businesses and its African partners.
This vision is the central leaning of discussions at the just-concluded Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, which was preceded by a youth networking event focused on creative and cultural industries and sport.
The event proper was attended by over 4,000 delegates from Africa, France and other European countries attending. No fewer than 30 African leaders also attended the summit which the French government is using to seek new deals to counter its diminishing influence in its former colonies in Africa.
The event, co-hosted by France President Emmanuel Macron and President William Ruto of Kenya from Sunday, May 10, 2026 to Tuesday, May 12, 2026 targeted interventions in areas that the two countries believe would also serve the interest of Africa in areas of artificial intelligence, infrastructure development, agriculture, and creative art, especially sports and entertainment.
At the opening of the preceding event, President Macron said that France was not in Kenya to tell Kenyans what to do, and that France does not also have the means to help in the old way. Instead, it was in Nairobi to listen and to understand the dreams of Kenyans and what they are building for themselves.
He explained that Africa and France were equal partners citing an example of areas where they can collaborate unite. They include in the areas of AI development and deployment which have been captured by the United States and Russia. Others are in the area of agriculture, creative arts and infrastructural development.
On his part, President Ruto said that his administration continues to prioritize infrastructure development and was expanding fibre optics connections across the country so that it could drive a digital revolution.
Ruto echoed the words of Macron that the event is a high-level gathering that reflects a renewed and forward-looking partnership between Africa and France, grounded in mutual respect, shared responsibility, and a clear commitment to delivering tangible outcomes.”
He also advocated the global financial system to be more equitable for African nations owing, even as he insisted that the new partnership must consciously move away from pre-written narratives that have historically defined this relationship.
He maintained that the Africa Forward Summit would break barriers and focusing on solutions.
The conference, with the theme: Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth, also targeted redefining co-operation between Africa and France through practical, action-oriented partnerships capable of driving investments, innovation and sustainable development, especially on the African continent with all its untapped human natural resources.
It equally addressed several topics on rural development, including mobilizing private capital, strengthening partnerships in sustainable agriculture, developing the region’s Marine and Blue Economy, as well as other infrastructure development needs and socio-political issues.
The 2026 Summit also focused on strengthening Africa’s global partnerships, expanding trade and investment opportunities, and accelerating innovation across key sectors across the continent.
Ahead of the Summit, its organizers, the Africa Forward Summit Secretariat, held a media roundtable to provide African journalists from across the continent and beyond with a comprehensive preview of the confab’s agenda, priorities and expected outcomes.
During the roundtable, they offered a detailed breakdown of the Summit’s thematic focus areas, addressed key issues and questions, as well as provided insights into the partnerships and opportunities expected to emerge from the conference.
The conveners equally explained that the discussions would include opportunities in the blue economy, agriculture, global health and emerging prospects in Artificial Intelligence.
Some of the participants at the meeting, which ended on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 with the Nairobi Declaration, affirmed that it was a landmark commitment adopted by Kenya and France to prioritize cooperation between Africa and France for what both countries termed ‘shared prosperity.’
