Emmanuel Macron in Kenya for the Africa Forward summit on May 11 and 12

Emmanuel Macron will travel to Kenya on May 11 and 12, 2026, for the Africa Forward Summit, co-organized by Paris and Nairobi. This high-level international event marks a significant milestone in French economic diplomacy: it is the first time such a summit has been held in an English-speaking country on the continent. Kenya, a long-standing bilateral partner and a dynamic economy in East Africa, will host heads of state, entrepreneurs, and investors to discuss innovation and growth.

First French summit in Anglophone Africa

The Kenyan meeting follows on from the Africa-France Summit in Montpellier, held in October 2021. It aims to address the common challenges facing the African continent and Europe, while strengthening economic and trade ties between the two sides. The French and African business communities will be heavily involved in identifying new partnership opportunities in strategic sectors such as technology, infrastructure, and energy.

The choice of Nairobi demonstrates a clear desire to diversify France's relations beyond its traditional Francophone sphere of influence. By partnering with Kenya, Paris seeks to expand its network of partners on a continent where international competition is intensifying. The summit is intended to foster lasting cooperation with Anglophone countries, which have historically been less central to French economic diplomacy.