Africa: Uganda to Co-Host 2026 Africa-France Forward Summit

4 December 2025
Nile Post (Kampala)
By Kenneth Kazibwe

The Minister of Foreign Affairs (Regional Cooperation), John Mulimba, has announced Uganda's role as co-host of the forthcoming Africa-France Forward Summit scheduled for 11-12 May 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya.

The announcement followed a meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 3, 2025, between Mulimba, the French Ambassador to Uganda, Virginie Leroy, and Kenya's High Commissioner to Uganda, Joash A. Maangi.

During the meeting, the three officials discussed Uganda's priorities and the broader agenda for the Summit, which will be co-hosted by President William Ruto and President Emmanuel Macron.

Ambassador Leroy revealed that, following consultations with Kenya and other partners, key focus areas for the Summit will include agro-processing, energy transition, connectivity and transport, artificial intelligence and digital innovation, and health.

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Kenya's High Commissioner, Amb. Maangi, noted that Uganda's elevation from guest to co-host reflects the strong, historic ties between the two countries and their shared regional priorities.

Mulimba welcomed Uganda's co-hosting role and the Summit itself, describing it as an important platform for renewed Africa-France cooperation. He commended France for its longstanding role as one of Uganda's leading sources of foreign direct investment, particularly in the oil and gas sector.

He emphasized that Uganda will use the Nairobi Summit to champion financing for major joint infrastructure initiatives such as the Standard Gauge Railway, which remains a key national priority.

Mulimba added that Africa is seeking a new model of engagement built on partnership rather than traditional development assistance.

"Africa does not expect business as usual. The Summit will be a game-changer, whose outcomes will guide relations between Africa and other development partners," he said.

Ambassador Leroy noted that deliberations from the Summit will culminate in the Nairobi Declaration, which is expected to be adopted by the G7 under France's presidency beginning June 2026.

Read the original article on Nile Post.

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