President Ruto Calls for Shift from Aid to Investment at Africa Forward Summit 2026 - May 2026

At the Africa Forward Summit 2026, Kenya's President William Ruto has called for a fundamental shift in Africa's economic approach, advocating for a move away from aid dependency. He stated that true partnerships should be founded on sovereign equality, not dependence. French President Emmanuel Macron humorously described Kenyan President William Ruto as "crazy" for accepting to co-chair and co-organize a significant summit. The governments of Kenya and France are collaborating to combat gender-based violence, while leaders from various nations are expected to issue a joint statement outlining their resolutions following the conclusion of the Africa Forward conference in Nairobi.