On May 11 and 12, 2026, Nairobi will host the Africa-France Summit, officially titled “Africa Forward: Partnerships between Africa and France for Innovation and Growth.” This diplomatic and economic event will bring together some thirty African heads of state, as well as investors and international institutions, to discuss growth, innovation, and development financing. In the context of evolving partnerships between France and the African continent, economic exchanges, the energy transition, and youth employment will be central to the discussions.
In Nairobi, the Africa-France Summit 2026 aims to embody a new stage in economic relations between Paris and Africa. According to the French Treasury, trade between France and sub-Saharan Africa reached nearly €24.1 billion in 2024, despite a slight annual decline. Nigeria, South Africa, and Côte d’Ivoire are among France’s main trading partners on the continent.
“Kenya is proud to host this defining moment. And we are ready. We are here to champion the reform of the international financial architecture so that African nations can access capital on fair and sustainable terms.”
William Ruto, President of the Republic – Kenya
Beyond trade, the summit highlights investments in infrastructure, energy, health, and innovation. The French Development Agency (AFD) indicates that Africa accounts for nearly €35 billion in ongoing projects, representing almost half of the AFD Group’s global portfolio. The institution also states that it has facilitated access to energy for more than 11.6 million people and supported thousands of projects related to youth employment and the climate transition.
“The idea is truly to strengthen the relationship economically, but above all, the partnership between French and African companies, a truly two-way relationship, based on long-term, balanced partnership models. On topics that are being discussed more and more frequently, we will be working together on co-creation, co-innovation, and co-investment, truly collaborating to foster the emergence of African champions and to be able to access African markets, ensuring that Africa is more integrated into global value chains.”
Marc Cagnard, Managing Director of Business France for Sub-Saharan Africa – France
Financial cooperation is among the main issues at the Nairobi summit. According to the French Development Agency and the World Bank, their joint co-financing portfolio reaches $30 billion, of which $20 billion has been committed since 2018 to support the Sustainable Development Goals and climate policies in Africa. The expected announcements focus on digital innovation, energy, and infrastructure, in a context where several African states are seeking to diversify their partnerships and accelerate their industrial transformation.
