Kenyan President William Ruto said Africa will take charge of its own future during the Africa Forward summit's closing ceremony on May 12, 2026 [1].

The statement highlights a growing push for African agency in development and governance as the continent seeks to reduce reliance on external powers. This shift comes as France attempts to redefine its relationships with African nations to maintain influence.

The summit took place in Nairobi, Kenya [2], and ran from May 10 to May 12, 2026 [3]. More than 30 African leaders attended the event [4], which served as a venue for France to pursue new deals and partnerships. French President Emmanuel Macron attended the summit as France seeks to forge these new ties while its influence in former colonies declines [5].

During the closing ceremony, Ruto emphasized the need for the continent to direct its own trajectory. "Africa will take charge of its own future," Ruto said [6].

The event focused on the "Africa Forward" theme, aiming to spur cooperation between Kenya and France, as well as broader continental ties [7]. France viewed the gathering as an opportunity to present new partnership models to the attending leaders. This approach is intended to counter the waning presence of French authority in several African regions [5].

Nairobi served as the backdrop for these discussions, positioning Kenya as a central hub for diplomatic engagement between Europe and Africa [2]. The summit concluded with a focus on mutual economic growth and the strategic autonomy of African states.

“"Africa will take charge of its own future"”

The rhetoric from the Africa Forward summit signals a pivot toward strategic autonomy for African nations. By asserting agency over its own future, Kenya is leading a broader trend of African states demanding equal partnerships rather than traditional aid-based relationships. For France, the summit represents a critical attempt to pivot its foreign policy from a colonial-era posture to one of modern economic cooperation to prevent further loss of geopolitical influence on the continent.