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Preparations for the Africa Forward Summit 2026 are complete after the official handover of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ahead of the event scheduled for May 11–12, 2026.
The handover ceremony took place on Saturday evening and was led by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, who formally transferred the venue to Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi.
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The move officially designated KICC as the operational venue for the inaugural Africa Forward Summit, which will be hosted in Anglophone Africa for the first time.
The summit is expected to attract more than 30 African Heads of State and Government, over 4,000 delegates, and around 2,500 global investors, business leaders, innovators, policymakers, and development partners from Africa, France, and other parts of the world.
The ceremony followed a high-level inspection of the venue attended by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei, French Ambassador to Kenya Arnaud Suquet, KICC CEO James Mwaura, senior government officials, and members of the summit secretariat.
Held under the theme “Africa Forward: Africa–France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth,” the summit aims to redefine relations between Africa and France through partnerships focused on equality, innovation, investment, and practical outcomes.
Speaking during the event, Mudavadi described the summit as more than a diplomatic gathering, saying it would help reposition Africa within the changing global landscape.
He noted that the forum seeks to shift discussions from promises and declarations to concrete action, measurable outcomes, and partnerships built on mutual respect and shared opportunities.
Mudavadi added that Kenya is privileged to host a summit focused on driving investments, innovation, partnerships, and job creation across the continent.
Miano said the successful preparation and handover of KICC demonstrated Kenya’s ability to host one of the continent’s most significant international events in recent years.
She stated that Kenya was fully prepared to welcome global leaders, investors, development partners, and delegates, adding that the summit would further strengthen Nairobi’s reputation as a leading hub for diplomacy, conferences, and business tourism.
Sing’Oei said the summit had been designed as an implementation-oriented platform bringing together political leaders, investors, and innovation sectors to address Africa’s development priorities.
According to him, discussions at the summit will focus on investment, industrial growth, food security, innovation, and the socio-economic wellbeing of African citizens.
He added that the forum seeks to position Africa as an equal partner and active contributor to global solutions rather than a passive beneficiary of aid.
The summit agenda will cover seven key areas, including green industrialisation and energy transition, reforms in the international financial system, blue economy development, sustainable agriculture, artificial intelligence and digital technology, resilient healthcare systems, and peace and security.
One of the major highlights will be the Africa Forward Business Forum at the University of Nairobi, expected to host more than 2,500 CEOs, investors, entrepreneurs, SMEs, and policymakers in one of the largest Africa–France private sector engagements on the continent.
The forum will feature investment announcements, CEO roundtables, innovation exhibitions, youth entrepreneurship sessions, and discussions on sectors such as infrastructure, logistics, AI, health manufacturing, agriculture, creative industries, clean energy, and connectivity.
French Ambassador Arnaud Suquet said the summit reflects France’s commitment to building stronger and more balanced partnerships with African nations.
He cited France’s support for education in Kenya, revealing plans to launch a modern science and engineering complex at the University of Nairobi’s Chiromo campus during the summit.
Suquet noted that France is currently the fourth-largest foreign investor in Kenya, with more than 150 French companies operating in the country and employing over 36,000 people.
He said the investments demonstrate France’s confidence in Kenya’s manufacturing and economic growth potential.
The summit will conclude with the adoption of the Nairobi Declaration, which is expected to establish a new framework for Africa–France cooperation focused on accountability, implementation, and measurable impact.
As final security, diplomatic, protocol, and logistical preparations continue, Kenya has reaffirmed its readiness to host a world-class summit aimed at placing Africa at the centre of global conversations on growth, innovation, and international partnerships.
