Cairo: President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, French President Emmanuel Macron, and leaders from over 30 African countries are gathering in the Kenyan capital for the Africa-France Summit. The summit, themed ‘Africa Forward’, commenced on Monday, May 11, 2026, with the aim of discussing strategies to enhance trade and economic partnerships between France and African nations.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the two-day event also sees the participation of United Nations Secretary General Ant³nio Guterres, the head of the African Union, business leaders, international financial institutions, development partners, and representatives from both African and French business communities. The summit’s agenda encompasses a range of critical issues, including peace and security, sustainable financing, reforms in the international financial system, transitions in the energy sector, green manufacturing, and the development of the blue economy. Other focal areas include infrastructure, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, sustainable agriculture, food security, and health.

The Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has highlighted that the summit will explore topics related to trade, investment, innovation, climate change, and regional integration. In a statement, the ministry emphasized that the summit aims to bolster cooperation between Africa and France, while advancing dialogue on key investment and trade matters. The ‘Africa Forward 2026’ initiative is designed to foster innovation, strengthen partnerships, and support sustainable and inclusive growth, with the goal of developing practical solutions to common challenges, from economic development to global governance.