Sikhupe – Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has left the Kingdom for Nairobi, Kenya, where he will represent His Majesty King Mswati III and the Kingdom of Eswatini at the Africa Forward Summit.
The high-level gathering, held under the theme “Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth,” brings together heads of state and government, international institutions, business leaders, investors, youth representatives and civil society organisations to advance a new chapter of cooperation between Africa and France.
Kenya and France are jointly hosting the summit on 11 and 12 May 2026, with the President of the French Republic and the President of the Republic of Kenya among those expected to attend alongside other African heads of state and government. 
The Africa Forward Summit is being described as a milestone in relations between France and the African continent, coming nearly ten years after the French President’s address in Ouagadougou. It is also the first summit of its kind to be hosted and co-chaired with an English-speaking country.
Organisers say the summit reflects balanced Africa-France partnerships built around each country’s economic development and real complementarities, with the stated aim of benefiting ordinary populations. The partnerships are also expected to contribute to fairer and more inclusive global governance, one that rejects what organisers described as bloc mindsets, predation and new imperialist tendencies.
The two-day programme is divided into distinct themes. The first day, 11 May, is themed “Inspire and Connect” and opens with a Business Forum that will showcase the breadth of France-Africa economic partnerships and promote projects from both African and French private sectors. Special events focused on young people and sectors that generate jobs and build social cohesion, including sports and the cultural and creative industries, will also form part of the day’s programme.
The second day, 12 May, will focus on development finance and global issues, with youth employment and training, sovereignty and competitiveness at the core of discussions. Peace and security, particularly in support of African mediation and African Union action, will also be on the agenda.
The Africa Forward Summit builds on a series of previous high-level engagements, including the Summit on the Financing of African Economies held in Paris in 2021, the New Global Financing Pact also held in Paris in 2023, the Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi that same year, and the European Union-African Union Summit held in Luanda in November 2025.
Certain outcomes from the Nairobi summit are expected to feed directly into preparations for the G7 Summit, which France will host in Evian from 15 to 17 June.
