South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is reported to skip the upcoming France–Africa Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.
The development comes as preparations intensify for the high-level diplomatic gathering expected to bring together African heads of state and French leadership
Kenya and France will co-host the Africa Forward Summit Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth in Nairobi on May 11 to 12, 2026, marking the first time the event is held in a non-Francophone country.
In March, South Africa said it had been excluded from the G7 summit in France in June, despite having been initially invited.
Ramaphosa’s Reported Absence from the Nairobi Summit
According to reports, President Ramaphosa is expected to miss the France – Africa Summit in Nairobi due to commitments.
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South Africa has maintained a dense diplomatic schedule involving the African Union, G20-related preparations, BRICS engagements, and bilateral state visits.
The France-Africa Summit, expected to be one of the key multilateral meetings hosted in Nairobi, is designed to strengthen France’s engagement with African nations.
Kenya’s selection as host reflects its growing role as a regional diplomatic hub in East Africa.
Kenya’s role as Host of a High-Stakes Diplomatic Gathering
Kenya’s hosting of the France-Africa Summit places Nairobi at the center of renewed global attention on Africa’s diplomatic and economic direction.
The summit is expected to focus on trade cooperation, investment flows, security collaboration in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa, and climate-related financing commitments.
France and African leaders are set to meet in Nairobi, Kenya, for a high-level France–Africa engagement summit from May 11 to 12.
The Government of Kenya confirmed that the discussion will focus on climate change, environmental challenges, and financial system reform, as aligned with initiatives such as the Nairobi Declaration from the Africa Climate Summit
French officials have previously described the engagement as part of a renewed approach to Africa, focusing on direct partnerships with selected countries. The Nairobi meeting is expected to serve as a key platform for shaping future France–Africa relations.
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Why France picked Kenya over South Africa for the 2026 G7 Summit
The Group of Seven (G7) comprises the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, and Japan, with the European Union also participating.
The summit will take place from 15 to 17 June 2026 in in Évian, France
On 26 March 2026, South Africa reported that it had been excluded from the guest list for the upcoming G7 summit in France, despite being a regular invitee in previous years.
France opted to invite Kenya over South Africa to represent African perspectives in discussions on trade, climate funding, infrastructure, and regional security.
France said the choice was deliberate, tied to strengthening Franco-African relations ahead of President Emmanuel Macron’s major Africa-France summit in Nairobi.
The G7 summit is scheduled to take place in France from 15 to 17 June 2026, bringing together leaders of the world’s advanced economies, along with invited partner countries, for high-level discussions on global stability, economic and geopolitical tensions.
France, as host, is expected to steer discussions on pressing global challenges, including economic recovery, artificial intelligence governance, energy security, climate financing, and ongoing geopolitical conflicts that affect global supply chains and security frameworks.
