Kenya is gearing up to play a leading role at the Africa–France Summit in May, aiming to secure agreements on seven major areas that the country says are vital for Africa’s development and global influence, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has said.
Speaking from Paris on Monday after meetings with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, Mudavadi said the summit presents an important opportunity to translate discussions into actionable results that will benefit Africa as a whole.
He highlighted the strategic value of hosting the summit in Nairobi, noting that it will be the first time a non-Francophone African country hosts the forum since its creation in 1973.
“Kenya’s objective is that the Summit adopts declarations that will deliver concrete, bankable and monitorable outcomes in key priority areas,” Mudavadi said, outlining seven key focuses: reform of the international financial architecture, energy transition, green industrialisation, digital innovation, sustainable agriculture, health systems, and coordinated action on climate change.
Mudavadi added that Kenya welcomed France’s statement that the summit’s results would feed into its G7 Presidency agenda in 2026.
“We are consolidating the relevant teams to work closely to ensure coherence between the Summit deliverables and the G7 process,” he said.
The two-day summit, scheduled for May 11–12, 2026, is expected to put African priorities at the center of global discussions, particularly in areas where Africa seeks stronger representation.
Mudavadi said France remains a key economic partner for Kenya and a gateway to the European Union market, particularly following the implementation of the Kenya–EU Economic Partnership Agreement in July 2024.
“Kenya confirms its full political commitment to delivering a successful Summit and invites France to continue providing strong political and technical support during the preparatory phase,” he said.
He added that hosting the summit gives Kenya a chance to show its growing influence in international affairs and highlight its role in climate diplomacy.
The discussions also explored deepening Kenya–France cooperation based on shared values, mutual respect, and multilateral collaboration.
Mudavadi, however, noted that trade between the two nations remains uneven, with Kenya mainly exporting primary and semi-processed agricultural goods while importing industrial and pharmaceutical products from France.
“Kenya’s strategic objective is to shift the relationship from a predominantly trading one to a production- and investment-driven partnership, anchored in value addition, industrial cooperation and technology transfer,” he said.
He invited French businesses to increase investment in sectors including manufacturing, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, green industry, logistics, and digital technologies, positioning Kenya as a regional production and export hub.
Mudavadi said the government is also working to strengthen business-to-business connections and improve frameworks for investment to ensure opportunities turn into concrete projects.
The talks included the Win Win Africa (Agora) initiative, which focuses on youth programs, social cohesion, and building sports infrastructure at the community level.
Both countries reviewed regional and global security matters, emphasizing adherence to the UN Charter and international law.
Mudavadi said Kenya values France’s support under initiatives such as the European Peace Facility and the Kenya–EU Strategic Partnership to help address funding and capability gaps in peace and security operations.
Other discussions covered health, transport, infrastructure, and aviation. Mudavadi acknowledged France’s €136 million contribution to Kenya’s health sector and support for the Food4Education program, and expressed interest in deeper collaboration on infrastructure, including upgrading Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and expanding the Nairobi Commuter Rail.
The visit to France was made at the invitation of the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
