Sikhupe – Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini departed the Kingdom on Friday for Nairobi, Kenya, where he will represent His Majesty King Mswati III and the Kingdom of Eswatini at the Africa Forward Summit.
Before his departure, Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Pholile Shakantu took the Prime Minister on a tour of the newly opened Phase One diplomatic lounges at King Mswati III International Airport in Sikhupe, which His Majesty’s Government officially announced are now open.
The lounges are designed to provide a secure and dignified environment for diplomats arriving from around the world. Senator Shakantu said the facility brings Eswatini in line with international standards. “The opening of these diplomatic lounges aligns with international law standards regarding the treatment of diplomats at airports. This establishment reflects Eswatini’s commitment to upholding these standards, providing a specialized area where diplomats can engage and conduct business in a secure and dignified manner,” she said. 
The Prime Minister noted that the lounges will complement the newly opened Ezulwini Palazzo ICC as the Kingdom prepares to host a growing number of international meetings and conferences. He expressed optimism about welcoming delegates and participants to Eswatini, committing to promote shared values, global cooperation and dialogue.
In Nairobi, Dlamini will attend the Africa Forward Summit, a high-level gathering held under the theme “Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth.” The summit brings together heads of state and government, international institutions, business leaders, investors, youth representatives and civil society organisations to advance cooperation between Africa and France.
Kenya and France are jointly hosting the two-day summit on 11 and 12 May 2026, with the President of the French Republic and the President of Kenya expected to attend alongside other African leaders. The gathering is being described as a milestone in Africa-France relations, coming nearly ten years after the French President’s address in Ouagadougou, and is the first summit of its kind to be co-chaired with an English-speaking country.
The first day, 11 May, themed “Inspire and Connect,” opens with a Business Forum showcasing France-Africa economic partnerships and promoting projects from both African and French private sectors. Special events focused on young people, sports and the cultural and creative industries will also feature.
The second day, 12 May, turns to development finance and global issues, with youth employment, training, sovereignty and competitiveness at the centre of discussions. Peace and security, in support of African mediation and African Union action, will also be on the table.
The Nairobi summit follows a series of previous high-level engagements, including the Summit on the Financing of African Economies in Paris in 2021, the New Global Financing Pact in Paris in 2023, the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi that same year, and the EU-African Union Summit in Luanda in November 2025.
Outcomes from the summit are expected to feed into preparations for the G7 Summit, which France will host in Evian from 15 to 17 June.mit, which France will host in Evian from 15 to 17 June.
