President William Ruto and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Sunday evening agreed to strengthen ties and signed several bilateral deals ahead of the Africa Forward Summit.
Speaking in Nairobi, the two leaders explained the rationale of having the Summit in Kenya, a non-Francophone state.
President Ruto said the fact that the Summit is being held in Kenya for the first time signals a shift of the Summit to bring non-francophone nations on board.
"France has been with Kenya since independence and we have walked that journey together ever since," President Ruto said.
President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron during a joint press conference at State House in Nairobi ahead of the Africa Forward Summit 2026.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
The Kenyan President stated that embracing talks with France does not close the doors to other partners.
"We have relationships with other partners. But the relationship with France is special, because there is a very personal relationship between President Macron, myself, and Kenya."
On the two-day Africa Forward Summit, President Ruto termed it a turning point towards a more balanced, action-oriented and results-driven Africa-France partnership.
"Mr President, I want to promise you that we will not disappoint you. The confidence you have demonstrated in Kenya confirms to you that you have friends on this other side. And you can count on our partnership, you can count on our friendship and you can count on our collaboration and cooperation," the Head of State said.
President William Ruto speaking at State House Nairobi on Sunday, May 10, 2026 during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron at State House in Nairobi ahead of the Africa Forward Summit 2026.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
He urged President Macron to use his influence in the European Union to ensure that the war comes to an end.
"On the challenges that we have on the Strait of Hormuz, I was having consultations with my fellow heads of state from Sierra Leone, Senegal and all of us are affected. Fuel prices, oil prices had gone up by between 20 to 30 per cent," Dr Ruto said.
President Ruto said the war in the Middle East is not about the few countries but the world at large.
"We've come out of Covid. We have suffered from the consequences of wars in the middle of Europe and now we have another situation. For those of us in the receiving end. This no longer about two or three countries. It is about many countries and millions of people. The sooner we find a solution, the better for all of us. We urge that the people concerned should not just consider their interests. They should consider the interests of the many countries which today are paying the price of the war. Whatever that should be done should be done so that we find the resolution and ceasefire," he said.
President Ruto noted that the Summit comes at the right time, when African leaders will determine their future.
French President Emmanuel Macron speaking at State House Nairobi on Sunday, May 10, 2026 during a joint press conference with President William Ruto at State House in Nairobi ahead of the Africa Forward Summit 2026.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Meanwhile, President Macron acknowledged that the ties between Kenya and France has been in place for more than 30 decades, which has seen French companies opening more than 140 companies and employing millions of Kenyans.
"The projects that we have signed today, which are the result of a lot of work in recent months, and sometimes in recent years, will improve the lives of Kenyans. Like the construction of a new National Electricity Control Center, which will allow less expensive and more reliable access to energy. The upgrade of the railways and the signalisation of the U-20 train in Nairobi which aims to rehabilitate the mode of transport to decongest the city," President Macron said.
He also said the renovation of the Masinga dam, the support for a digital highway that will allow the deployment of fibre optic in many Kenyan public services, the deployment of a partnership on sustainable fuels among the deals signed will improve the lives of Kenyans.
On the state of the insecurity in West Africa, President Macron called for tolerance and the need to uphold the will of the people.
Mr Macron added that the Nairobi Summit will bring together more than 6,000 people and several companies that seek to invest in Africa.
