Morocco’s Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch has arrived in Kenya to lead a senior delegation at two major meetings: the Africa Forward Summit and the 4th Summit of the Congo Basin Climate Commission.
He landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where Kenyan officials welcomed him, including Geoffrey Ruku, Minister of Public Service and Special Programs, and Abraham Korir Sing’Oei, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Morocco’s ambassador to Kenya and South Sudan, Abderrazzak Laassel, was also present. The welcome highlighted closer ties between the two countries.
The Moroccan delegation includes Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Amine Tehraoui, Minister of Health and Social Protection, and Karim Zidane, Minister Delegate for Investment and Public Policy Evaluation. Business leader Chakib Alj, head of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), is also part of the group, along with private sector representatives.
The Africa Forward Summit, officially called the Africa France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth Summit, is taking place in Nairobi on 11–12 May 2026. It is led by Kenyan President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron. More than 30 African leaders and around 1,500 business figures are attending.
The summit is meant to change how France works with Africa, focusing more on equal partnerships and investment rather than aid. Key topics include trade and investment, education and training, climate change, and economic stability.
The programme is split into two days. The first day focuses on business meetings and investment deals. One major deal announced is a €700 million plan by French company CMA CGM to upgrade the port of Mombasa. Jobs for young people, cultural industries and sport projects are also being discussed.
The second day brings together heads of state to discuss major issues. These include health systems, food security, energy access and security cooperation.
The results from the Nairobi summit are expected to feed into the G7 meeting in Evian, France, in June 2026. President Ruto will attend the G7 talks, which will also look at Africa’s role in global financial reforms.
At the same time, leaders are also attending the 4th Congo Basin Climate Commission summit. It is preparing for a donor meeting for the Blue Fund for the Congo Basin on 26 May in Brazzaville.
Discussions focus on raising money and agreeing plans to protect the Congo Basin, one of the world’s key forest regions.
