The second day of the Africa Forward Summit has commenced in Nairobi, marking a significant shift in Africa–France relations towards a more equal and innovative partnership. Co-chaired by President William Samoei Ruto of Kenya and President Emmanuel Macron of France, the day brought together Heads of State and Government in an unprecedented format and level of participation.
Unlike traditional diplomatic forums, the Africa Forward Summit 2026 is designed as an implementation-focused platform, prioritising bankable investment opportunities, policy reform outcomes, and public-private partnerships with actionable commitments and clear delivery pathways.
The morning session featured two high-level plenary engagements on Green Industrialisation and Energy Transition, and Peace and Security, followed by a working lunch with forty African and French top business leaders alongside multilateral and private financing institutions. The lunch focused on reform of the international financial architecture, with the objective of mobilising both domestic and international private capital and improving coordination across the development finance architecture. Four parallel thematic roundtables on the blue economy, sustainable agriculture, artificial intelligence and digital technologies, and resilient health systems ran alongside.
“We demand stronger cooperation, renewed multilateralism, and partnerships grounded not on hierarchy, but in sovereign equality, mutual respect, and shared responsibility,” said President Ruto. “Enduring partnerships must not be built on dependency, but on sovereign equality. Not on aid or charity, but on mutually beneficial investments.”
“Today, we have an agenda aimed at addressing Africa’s contemporary challenges,” said President Macron. “France and Europe will always stand alongside Africa in supporting the continent’s aspirations for peace and prosperity.”
The summit aims to conclude with the adoption of the Nairobi Declaration, a ground-breaking framework outlining policy positions, investment commitments, and sector-specific partnerships, with a strong emphasis on transparency and accountability. Both presidents committed to championing the joint agenda at the United Nations and during the Evian G7.