Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has travelled to Paris for an official visit aimed at deepening Kenya’s diplomatic and economic ties with France, ahead of the Africa–France Summit that will be hosted in Nairobi later this year.
Mudavadi departed the country on Saturday and is expected to hold a series of high-level meetings with French government officials and private sector leaders. According to the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, the visit forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the long-standing relationship between Kenya and France.
Officials said cooperation between the two countries has expanded over the years, moving beyond aid to include partnerships in trade, education, peace and security, health, climate action, and technology.
Kenya is preparing to host the Africa–France Summit in May, becoming the first non-Francophone African country to do so since the forum began in 1973. The summit is expected to attract more than 5,000 delegates from across the world.
Those expected to attend include heads of state and government, private sector leaders, international organisations, civil society groups, and members of the global media.
Officials described Nairobi’s selection as host city as a major diplomatic achievement and a sign of Kenya’s growing role on the international stage.
“The summit signals Kenya’s status as a diplomatic and environmental leader in Africa,” the statement said.
“It is the culmination of efforts by the country, led by President William Ruto, to position Kenya as the continent’s hub.”
While in Paris, Mudavadi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot. The discussions will focus on preparations for the upcoming summit in Nairobi.
He is also expected to sign a cooperation agreement between Kenya and the Agence Française de Développement, further strengthening development and investment cooperation between the two countries.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary will also engage business leaders as part of efforts to grow trade and investment links. His programme includes meetings with Medef and executives from several French firms, among them Airbus, Thales, In Groupe, Winwin Afrique, and CFAO.
In addition, Mudavadi will meet staff at Kenya’s embassy in Paris and hold talks with officials from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. The engagements continue the practice of connecting with Kenyan diplomats during official foreign visits.
