Kampala, Uganda,
Kampala: 3rd December 2025 – Kenya and France formally advanced preparations for the Africa–France Forward Summit 2026 during a high-level engagement in Kampala, which underscored the evolving partnership models between Africa and its global counterparts. The Minister of Foreign Affairs (Regional Cooperation), Hon. John Mulimba, held a meeting with H.E. Virginie Leroy, Ambassador of France to Uganda, and H.E. Joash A. Maangi, High Commissioner of Kenya to Uganda, to review priorities for the Summit scheduled to take place in Nairobi on 11–12 May 2026 under the joint leadership of President William Ruto and President Emmanuel Macron.
The discussions reflected a shared ambition to reposition Africa–France relations toward forward-looking cooperation anchored in investment, innovation, and strategic autonomy. Amb. Leroy outlined that, in close consultation with Kenya and other stakeholders, France had identified key focus areas for the Summit, including agro-processing, energy transition, transport and digital connectivity, artificial intelligence, and health. These sectors were presented as catalytic pillars capable of accelerating inclusive growth while addressing global challenges such as climate change and technological transformation.
Amb. Maangi highlighted that Uganda’s participation as a co-host, rather than a guest, reflected the depth of bilateral relations between Kenya and Uganda and their convergence on regional priorities. The decision was framed as recognition of Uganda’s constructive role in regional integration, infrastructure development, and cross-border economic planning within East Africa.
Hon. Mulimba welcomed the proposed Summit as a timely platform for renewed Africa–France engagement, noting France’s longstanding position as a leading source of foreign direct investment in Uganda, particularly in the oil and gas sector. He further observed that the inclusion of financing mechanisms for major infrastructure initiatives, such as the Standard Gauge Railway, aligned directly with Uganda’s development priorities and regional connectivity ambitions.
The Minister stressed that Africa is seeking a departure from traditional development assistance toward partnerships grounded in mutual value creation, private sector mobilisation, and technology transfer. He characterised the Summit as a potential inflection point whose outcomes would shape Africa’s future engagement with global partners.
Amb. Leroy indicated that the Summit is expected to culminate in the Nairobi Declaration, envisaged as a strategic framework to be subsequently adopted by the G7 under France’s chairmanship beginning in June 2026, thereby elevating African priorities within global policy discourse.
