Africa’s representation in global decision-making, accountability in public institutions and declining confidence in leadership have taken centre stage as the Global Trust Summit brings international and Kenyan leaders together in Nairobi.
The October 21–23 meeting is examining how governments, businesses and multilateral institutions can rebuild confidence among citizens and countries that feel excluded from decisions affecting their economic prospects, security and development.
Held under the theme “Weaving Trust: Binding Strands for a Stronger Global Order,” the summit has drawn government officials, regulators, civil society representatives, business leaders, academics and young people to explore practical ways of strengthening trust in governance and international cooperation.
Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dr Abraham Korir Sing’Oei, said the need to restore trust had become urgent in a world grappling with inequality, geopolitical tensions and declining confidence in institutions.
“This is not a summit of convenience. It’s a summit of necessity,” he said.
A central issue is Africa’s place in the multilateral system. The continent has 54 countries and more than 1.4 billion people but does not have a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
African countries have continued to push for greater influence in international institutions and decisions affecting development finance, debt, climate action and global security.
Discussions at the Nairobi meeting are examining whether international cooperation can command public confidence when the institutions responsible for making global decisions do not adequately represent the people affected by them.
Participants are also considering how regional integration initiatives, including the East African Community and the African Continental Free Trade Area, can strengthen Africa’s collective bargaining power, expand economic opportunities and support African-led solutions.
The debate over global representation is taking place alongside calls for greater accountability within national institutions.
Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu said credible information must lead to action, while Dr Priscilla, Director of the Communications Authority of Kenya, emphasised the need for institutions to resolve complaints rather than merely receive them.
“Trust does not stop with complaints. It stops when the complaint has been resolved,” she said.
The summit has also addressed democratic participation, with speakers arguing that citizens should have meaningful opportunities to shape public decisions and demand explanations from leaders.
Caroline Gaita, Executive Director of Mzalendo Trust, warned that public consultations without feedback risk becoming symbolic exercises.
“Participation without a feedback loop is not engagement; it’s attendance,” she said.
Business leaders also linked trust to economic opportunity, noting that investors and entrepreneurs depend on credible institutions, reliable information and commitments that are honoured.
NBA Africa Chief Executive Clare Akamanzi said public announcements must be supported by evidence of delivery, while venture capitalist Sean Karanja emphasised the relationship between integrity and the deployment of capital.
The summit is seeking to move beyond identifying the causes of declining confidence towards a framework for action. A proposed Nairobi Call to Action on Global Trust is intended to promote evidence-based decision-making and encourage institutions to review inaccurate assumptions in their data, risk assessments, governance arrangements and public narratives.
Awel Uwihanganye, Chief Executive of The Trust Summit, urged Africans to recognise the capabilities of their institutions, including courts, universities, regulators and financial institutions, while taking an active role in shaping the continent’s future.
“Let us trust one another until we are given a reason not to,” he said.
The meeting continues through October 23, with participants seeking ways to monitor commitments and sustain accountability after the Nairobi gathering.
Its broader ambition is to strengthen confidence not only within individual countries but also in the international partnerships and institutions that shape global development.