Kenya’s preparations for the landmark Africa-France Summit in May 2026 received a major boost this week after Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei held a series of high-level engagements in Paris aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and advancing the Summit’s agenda.
Sing’oei began his official visit with a productive meeting with Nicolas Forissier, France’s Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness.
Accompanied by Kenya’s Ambassador to France, Betty Cherwon, the PS said the discussion focused on expanding Kenya-France economic and trade cooperation and opening new pathways for mutually beneficial growth between the two nations.
“Our meeting explored opportunities to deepen Kenya-France economic and trade relations,” Sing’oei said, noting that both governments were keen on accelerating partnerships across emerging sectors.
He added that a significant part of the talks also centred on preparations for the Africa-France Summit, which Kenya will proudly host in Nairobi in May 2026.
The Nairobi Summit is expected to bring together more than 5,000 delegates, including Heads of State and government, private sector leaders, international organisations, civil society representatives, and global media.
Sing’oei said the event would serve as a critical platform for renewed partnership, dialogue, and shared progress between Africa and France at a time when both sides are seeking to reposition their cooperation in an evolving geopolitical environment.
The PS later held an extensive engagement with Mme Eléonore Caroit, France’s Minister Delegate responsible for Francophonie, International Partnerships, and French Nationals Abroad.
Their discussions, he said, reaffirmed the strength of Kenya-France relations and highlighted the importance of the upcoming Summit as a moment to consolidate gains in diplomacy, development, and cultural exchange.
Sing’oei also met Jeremie Robert, Advisor to French President Emmanuel Macron, at the Palais de l’Élysée for a review of the joint preparations for the Africa Forward Partnership Summit, an expanded platform that will be co-hosted by Kenya and France.
The conversation focused on aligning the Summit’s agenda with Africa Vision 2063, particularly structural transformation, innovation, and youth-driven growth.
“We pledged to deliver a summit that will bolster the realization of Africa Vision 2063,” Sing’oei said after the meeting.
Present at the discussions were Ambassador Cherwon and Ambassador Jeremie Blin, co-coordinator for the French Africa Summit, underscoring the high-level commitment from both sides.
Away from bilateral engagements, the PS also attended the 7th edition of “Ambition Africa” in Paris, a major annual business forum dedicated to deepening economic ties between France and African countries.
This year’s event placed strong emphasis on agriculture, energy transition, innovation, and digital transformation, areas Sing’oei said align closely with Kenya’s development priorities and Africa’s broader growth trajectory.
He noted that insights from the forum would feed into Kenya’s strategic planning for the Africa-France Summit, particularly in shaping conversations around sustainable development, climate transition, and the digital economy.
Sing’oei’s visit comes as Kenya accelerates diplomatic and infrastructural preparations for the 2026 Summit, which will be hosted at the new Bomas International Convention Complex (BICC), currently under construction in Nairobi and set for completion in April 2026.
The Paris engagements, observers noted, signal Kenya’s determination to position the Summit not only as a diplomatic milestone but as a catalyst for investment, cooperation, and long-term continental transformation.
