Leaders Adopt New Africa-France Partnership Framework
African leaders and representatives from the French Republic concluded the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi on May 12, 2026, adopting a wide-ranging declaration aimed at deepening Africa-France cooperation on economic growth, security, innovation and sustainable development.
Held under the theme “Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnership for Growth and Innovation,” the summit brought together heads of state, financial institutions and development partners to discuss Africa’s role in a rapidly changing global economy.
The declaration positions Africa not only as a future market, but also as a global partner in production, industrialisation and innovation.
Leaders pledged to move beyond traditional aid models toward partnerships based on co-investment, shared value creation and mutual respect.
Peace and security emerged as a major focus of the summit. Leaders reaffirmed support for African-led peace operations through the African Union Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and backed reforms to the United Nations Security Council to increase African representation.
The summit also called for stronger responses to terrorism, cyber threats, organised crime and instability in regions such as the Horn of Africa, Sudan, the Great Lakes and the Sahel.
Agriculture and Food Security Prioritised
On agriculture, the declaration emphasized the transformation of the sector into a modern and climate-resilient engine of industrial growth.
Governments committed to expanding agro-processing, strengthening fertilizer supply chains, supporting agricultural research and empowering youth and women through digital farming technologies and innovation hubs.
Leaders also stressed the importance of food security and regional agricultural trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Healthcare cooperation featured prominently, with commitments to strengthen resilient health systems, expand vaccine and medicine manufacturing in Africa, and improve pandemic preparedness.
The summit also backed increased investment in healthcare workforce development, digital health systems and regional medical supply chains.
Green Energy and Industrialisation Drive Growth Agenda
Energy and industrialisation formed another key pillar of the discussions. African and French representatives pledged to accelerate green industrialisation through investments in renewable energy, geothermal power, hydropower, nuclear energy and low-carbon technologies.
The declaration also called for local value addition in Africa’s critical minerals sector to support industrialisation and job creation.
The summit further highlighted the growing importance of the blue economy. Leaders committed to strengthening maritime security, protecting ocean ecosystems and supporting sustainable shipping and coastal economies.
Cooperation in tackling piracy, illegal fishing and climate-related threats to coastal communities was also prioritised.
Digital transformation and artificial intelligence were identified as strategic areas for future growth. The declaration supports investment in broadband infrastructure, regional data centres, African AI systems and local language models.
Leaders also pledged to promote ethical AI governance, digital sovereignty and protections against misinformation and cyber-enabled harm.
Calls for Financial Reform and Investment
On financial reform, African leaders pushed for changes to the international financial architecture, including greater African representation at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), improved access to concessional financing and reforms to global debt systems.
The summit also called for fairer global trade systems and stronger action against illicit financial flows.
The Nairobi summit concluded with a broader call for investment in infrastructure, education, skills development and entrepreneurship to unlock Africa’s economic potential.
Leaders described the declaration as a roadmap for long-term cooperation between Africa and France, anchored on sustainable growth, resilience and shared prosperity.
