President William Ruto has presided over the closing ceremony of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, signalling a renewed push for Africa’s role in shaping global partnerships and development priorities.
The closing session of the Africa Forward Summit brought together African leaders and international partners, including France, in discussions aimed at redefining cooperation frameworks between Africa and the wider world.
In his remarks, Ruto said the summit had delivered firm commitments on Africa’s transformation agenda, stressing the need to move beyond discussions and ensure that promises made are translated into concrete action. He emphasised that the focus now must shift from dialogue to implementation, and from ambition to measurable progress for citizens across the continent.
He noted that the emerging partnerships should be anchored on mutual respect, co-investment, shared prosperity and the sovereign equality of nations, adding that Africa’s engagement with development partners must reflect equality and shared responsibility.
Ruto also said Africa is increasingly taking charge of its own future, positioning itself not as a passive recipient of global decisions but as an active contributor to shaping them. He added that the continent is building its future alongside partners, rather than waiting to be included in it.
At the closing ceremony, he was joined by President Emmanuel Macron of France, whom he thanked for what he described as a commitment to recalibrate France’s relationship with Africa. He further described Macron as a partner who has shown willingness to support a more balanced and forward-looking engagement with the continent.
“With President Emmanuel Macron of France, presided over the closing ceremony of the Africa Forward Summit. We thank President Macron for his commitment to recalibrate the relationship with Africa, and for demonstrating that he is a true friend of our continent,” Ruto said.
The summit concluded with leaders expressing optimism that the discussions held in Nairobi will translate into stronger cooperation and accelerated development outcomes for Africa.