Over 30 African heads of state and government are expected to visit Kenya for the Africa Forward Summit 2026, scheduled for May 11 to May 12 in Nairobi.
In a statement on May 8, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura announced that Kenya has already received 55 high‑level confirmations, including leaders from across Africa and France, as well as representatives of international organizations.
“The Government of Kenya is pleased to announce that Kenya will host the Africa Forward Summit 2026 in Nairobi from May 11–12, 2026, bringing together African Heads of Government, leaders from France, private sector actors, development partners, youth innovators, and civil society representatives,” read part of the statement.
Presidents and African Leaders Expected in Nairobi
According to the statement, the heads of state and government are drawn from:
- Botswana
- Burundi
- Chad
- Comoros
- Republic of Congo
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Djibouti
- Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
- Egypt
- Eswatini
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guinea (Conakry)
- Lesotho
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Mauritius
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Nigeria
- Rwanda
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Zambia
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The government notes that the Africa Forward Summit will be held in Nairobi on May 11 and 12, placing the capital at the center of high‑level continental diplomacy this week.
Beyond the listed heads of state and government, Kenya will also welcome the Vice President of Equatorial Guinea, ministers from Angola, Benin, Malawi, Uganda and Zimbabwe, ambassadors, and representatives from organisations such as the African Union Commission, African Development Bank, International Monetary Fund, United Nations Environment Programme, Green Climate Fund, La Francophonie and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Additional confirmations are expected from several African countries and regional blocs.
Some of the countries will be represented by presidents, while others will be led by monarchs and leaders of transitional authorities.
The government said all listed leaders will attend in their capacity as the highest national decision‑makers in their respective countries.
Africa Forward Summit and Africa’s global agenda
According to the government, the Africa Forward Summit marks the first time the meeting is being hosted outside the Francophonie bloc, with Kenya stating that the move shows the shift towards broader, Africa‑led engagement is built on partnership and shared priorities.
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The summit comes ahead of France’s G7 presidency in June 2026, giving African leaders an opportunity to consolidate positions before global economic and governance discussions intensify.
President William Ruto is expected to use the Nairobi meeting to push for reforms of the global financial architecture, stronger climate financing mechanisms, and increased African voice in global decision‑making, particularly within multilateral institutions.
The government notes that the summit agenda includes discussions on global financial reforms, climate action and green financing, peace and security, artificial intelligence and digital transformation, agriculture and food security, the blue economy, and strengthening health systems, including local pharmaceutical manufacturing.
It focuses on practical issues that affect everyday life, such as jobs, trade, climate change, financing development, food security, health services, technology, and peace.
The summit gives African leaders a chance to agree on shared priorities and to speak with one voice when engaging global powers and international institutions.
Emmanuel Macron is using the Africa Forward Summit to reset and deepen France–Africa relations, shifting the focus from colonial history to trade, innovation, and shared economic growth.
