The Africa Forward Summit will be held on May 11 and 12, 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya. Co-organized by Emmanuel Macron and William Ruto, this event marks a historic turning point as the first summit of its kind to be held in an Anglophone country. Beyond the diplomatic stakes, the summit is bringing together a host of stars and influential figures to embody the renewal of relations between France and the African continent.
More than a dozen celebrities from the continent are expected to celebrate the creative and cultural industries. Fally Ipupa, the Congolese star, who has already attended major events such as the Francophonie Summit, is among the guests of honor. Youssou N’Dour, the Senegalese icon, will once again accompany Emmanuel Macron, highlighting the central role of music in this rapprochement. A high-level gathering of at least 30 leaders is expected, including Alassane Ouattara (Ivory Coast), Bassirou Diomaye Faye (Senegal), and Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Nigeria). In addition, more than 2,000 companies and business figures such as Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu (Nigeria), and Patrick Pouyanné (Total Energies) are participating in the Business Forum. Nearly 4,000 delegates, including young entrepreneurs, activists, and athletes, are invited to diversify the dialogue.
Aimé Binda
