Held in Nairobi on 11 and 12 May 2026, the Africa Forward Summit brought together political leaders, entrepreneurs, artists and civil society actors from across Africa and Europe to reflect on the future of AfricaâFrance partnerships. Culture, innovation and youth engagement featured prominently throughout the discussions and public programme.
The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) supported the participation of several Southern African cultural practitioners in the Summitâs cultural programme, including South African spoken-word artist Xabiso Vili, visual artist Inka Kendzia, and Malawian creative entrepreneur Fredo Penjuani Kalua.
As part of the Creation in Motion programme curated by MansA â Maison des Mondes Africains and Dream Feel Factory, immersive works including KancĂcĂ , Kwasukasukela and Mugomo Tree were presented during the Summit. The South African immersive work Kwasukasukela, co-produced with IFAS, and directed by Inka Kendzia and Xabiso Vili, and formed part of a programme exploring memory, spirituality, territory and contemporary African narratives through immersive technologies.
Ahead of the Summit, the Innovation Foundation for Democracy (FIDEMO) Social Pavilion created a dedicated platform for exchange between cultural actors, entrepreneurs and civil society organisations, with discussions focusing on inclusion, social innovation and the role of culture in public life.
Several cultural initiatives were also announced during the Summit, including renewed support for African film production and training programmes, the launch of a patronsâ circle for MansA in Paris, and the promulgation of Franceâs framework law on the restitution of cultural heritage.
See Grammy-winning South African artist Nomcebo Zikode and French President Emmanuel Macron on the dancefloor in Nairobi!
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