Nairobi: The two-day landmark Africa-France Summit came to a close in Nairobi with African leaders and the French government adopting a joint declaration aimed at strengthening Africa-France cooperation across key strategic sectors. The Nairobi Declaration focused on advancing peace and security, industrialization, digital transformation, climate action, healthcare, agriculture, and sustainable economic growth, reflecting a shared commitment to inclusive development and long-term prosperity.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Africa Forward Summit, a high-level Kenya-France partnership initiative co-hosted by Presidents William Ruto (Kenya) and Emmanuel Macron (France), served as a strategic platform for advancing Africa’s global partnerships through investment, innovation, and sustainable development. The delegates agreed on a number of priorities, among them the need to strengthen peace, security, and strategic autonomy among Member States, noting the growing impact of global instability on Africa’s development agenda.
‘We acknowledge the evolving global security environment, its implications for Africa, and the mutually reinforcing links between peace, security and sustainable development,’ reads part of the declaration. While setting the tone for the discussions, President Ruto called for stronger cooperation and renewed multilateralism grounded in sovereign equality, mutual respect, and shared responsibility.
The leaders further reaffirmed the principles and objectives of the African Union Constitutive Act, including the promotion of unity, peace, security, good governance, democratic elections, and cooperation among member states. The Heads of State and governments agreed to support African-led solutions to peace and security through the African Union’s Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2719, to enhance cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union.
President Macron said France and Europe would continue supporting Africa’s aspirations for peace and prosperity. ‘Today, we have an agenda aimed at addressing Africa’s contemporary challenges. Together with Kenya, we will champion this agenda throughout the year at the United Nations and during the Evian G7,’ Macron said.
Delegates pledged to strengthen cooperation in addressing emerging and transnational threats, including terrorism, organised crime, cyber insecurity, arms trafficking, migrant smuggling, illicit financial flows, and drug trafficking. They underscored the importance of coordinated responses to safeguard regional stability and strengthen Africa’s collective security framework.
The declaration further called for stronger institutional capacity and regional security mechanisms to address ongoing conflicts in the Horn of Africa, the Great Lakes Region, and the Sahel through inclusive dialogue, counter-terrorism cooperation, and regional stabilization efforts. Leaders highlighted the link between security and inclusive economic growth, youth empowerment, education, climate resilience, and diaspora engagement.
Ant³nio Guterres, the United Nations Secretary General, called for a more inclusive global order that reflects Africa’s demographic, economic, and strategic significance. Another major resolution focused on advancing sustainable and value-added agriculture, where leaders commit to promoting productive, sustainable, and resilient agriculture and food systems, including agro-industrialization and the development of integrated value chains in sectors with opportunities for scale.
The declaration emphasized investments in agricultural and livestock systems that improve nutrition, while integrating the One Health approach to protect human, animal, and ecosystem health. Leaders pledged to support agricultural research, innovation, and climate-smart practices such as agroecology, agroforestry, integrated soil health management, and digital tools through joint research partnerships with French institutions.
Healthcare was the centre of the discussion, where leaders agreed to mobilise sustainable investment in resilient health systems and advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC). ‘We commit to advancing Universal Health Coverage and resilient, people-centred health systems through strengthened primary healthcare, equitable access, and reduced financial hardship,’ reads part of the declaration.
On industrialization and energy, leaders committed to promoting green industrialization through investment in renewable energy, low-carbon systems, green hydrogen, and flagship clean energy projects. The Summit further recognised the Blue-Economy as a strategic frontier for growth, employment, and sustainability.
Leaders committed to promoting a sustainable Blue-Economy grounded in maritime sovereignty, climate resilience, economic transformation, and inclusive prosperity. On digital transformation, leaders agreed to harness digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence to strengthen economies, public services, security, education, creative industries, and global competitiveness.
On reforms to the international financial system, leaders said the global financial architecture must evolve to reflect contemporary realities and align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They also reaffirmed the importance of transport, energy, and digital infrastructure as key drivers of competitiveness and economic growth.
While echoing commitments from global leaders, African Union Commission Chairperson, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, called for strengthened multilateral cooperation and partnerships. He said Africa is on a trajectory to become a future powerhouse of global growth, urging African leadership and international partners to sustain the unity, cooperation, and collective momentum that contemporary situation demands.
