President Ruto and French President Macron
For the first time since its inception in 1973, Kenya will be hosting the 2026 Africa-France Summit outside of France or any Francophone country.
State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed said this on Friday. “This is a historic moment for Kenya,” he said. The announcement was made by Presidents William Ruto and Emmanuel Macron.
The two leaders met in New York at the 79th United Nations General Assembly. They signed the Paris Pact for the People and the Planet Coalition during a lunch hosted by Macron.
“The summit will bring together Heads of State, heads of civil society, and chief executives of companies,” Mohammed said. They are to discuss reforms in international financial bodies. “We want to take into consideration the continued planetary crisis,” he added.
This decision reflects the big turnaround in the choice of the venue for the Africa-France Summit. For the first time in 53 years, the summit was being held in an Anglophone country.
In their joint statement, Presidents Ruto and Macron set the tone of the summit, “We will address the problems that are connected to climate and environment matters.”
They reiterated their demands for the reform of the international financial architecture.
“It will endeavor to promote effective multilateralism,” the joint communique said, also reiterating the Paris Pact and the Nairobi Declaration stemming from the recently concluded Africa Climate Summit.
“The cooperation between Kenya and France has been solid,” observed President Ruto. “This summit will upgrade our partnership further,” he said. His host, Macron concurred: “Together we can offer responses to every global challenge.”.
Hussein Mohammed reiterated that the event was important. “It symbolizes Kenya’s growing influence in international affairs,” he added.
The build-up of euphoria about the summit has already begun. Leaders and delegates are bursting with anxiety to attend.
As the year 2026 draws closer, there is going to be continued attention toward effective global governance. Kenya is ready for this stage. At that very moment, Africa and France will reach a pivotal time.
