Heads of State already in Kenya for Africa-France summit

Vice Prime Minister of the Republic of Congo Jean Jacques Bouya, Vice President of the Republic of Burundi Prosper Bozambaza, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of South Sudan James Pitia Morgan have arrived in Kenya ahead of the Africa Forward Summit /HANDOUT

Leaders from across Africa have started arriving in Nairobi ahead of the inaugural Africa Forward Summit set to start today, May 11, with Kenya positioning itself at the centre of renewed Africa-France cooperation talks.

According to the State Department for Foreign Affairs, the summit will bring together Heads of State, senior government officials, investors, business leaders and development partners to discuss trade, investment, innovation, climate action and regional integration.

Among the first leaders to arrive was Côte d’Ivoire President Alassane Ouattara, who landed in Nairobi on May 9 ahead of the two-day summit.

"The summit would focus on strengthening Africa-France cooperation and advancing dialogue on trade and investment among other areas of mutual interests,” the department said.

Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio also arrived in Nairobi and was received by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Nigerian Presdent Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrives for the Africa Forward Summit scheduled to start on May 11/ HANDOUT

Liberian President Joseph Boakai later touched down in Kenya to join other African leaders expected at the summit, which seeks to strengthen Africa-France partnerships and promote sustainable development across the continent.

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived on Sunday ahead of the summit he is expected to co-host alongside President William Ruto.

"The summit will be a significant platform aimed at strengthening existing Africa-France partnerships," the State Department for Foreign Affairs stateted.

Also in Nairobi is Gabonese President Brice Nguema, Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, Senegalese President Bassirou Faye and Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and South Sudan Foreign Affairs Minister James Pitia Morgan also arrived as part of their countries’ delegations.

Head of Government of the Kingdom of Morocco Aziz Akhannouch is received by Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku ahead of the Africa Forward Summit / HANDOUT

The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is also in the country for the summit and is expected to join President Ruto during a groundbreaking ceremony for a new conference facility at the United Nations Office in Nairobi.

The State Department for Foreign Affairs said the summit aims to advance dialogue on “trade, investment, innovation, climate action, regional integration, and Africa’s economic transformation".

Vice President Prosper Bazombanza and Republic of Congo Vice Prime Minister Jean Jacques Bouya were among the latest high-ranking officials to arrive in Kenya ahead of the opening session.

The Africa Forward Summit is expected to run from May 11 to May 12 in Nairobi, with discussions focusing on economic partnerships, infrastructure financing, youth empowerment and reforms in global financial systems.

President of the Republic of Senegal Bassirou Diomaye Faye is received by Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku ahead of the Africa Forward Summit / HANDOUT

United Nations secretary general António Guterres is received by Health CS Aden Duale ahead of the Africa Forward Summit /HANDOUT