President William Ruto has officially brought the 4th Africa Forward Summit to a close, with a colourful cultural performance at the Kasarani Indoor Arena marking the end of the high-profile gathering in Nairobi.
In his closing remarks, Ruto said the summit ended “with a magnificent celebration of African fashion, music, and dance,” featuring designers, established musicians and upcoming artistes from across the continent.
He noted that the performances captured Africa’s cultural depth and growing global influence.
“The performances were a beautiful expression of the richness and diversity of Africa’s cultural heritage, the immense promise of our continent, and the extraordinary talent, innovation, and creativity of our youth,” Ruto said.
The summit brought together heads of state, policymakers, investors, development partners and creative industry players, with discussions focusing on trade, innovation, youth empowerment and strengthening Africa’s global partnerships.
Ruto thanked all stakeholders who contributed to the organisation of the event, saying its success reflected strong collaboration between governments, partners and the private sector.
“On behalf of the Government and the people of Kenya, I once again extend our sincere appreciation to all participants, sponsors, partners, and stakeholders whose invaluable contribution ensured the success of this historic summit,” he said.
He also acknowledged France as co-host of the summit, highlighting the diplomatic engagement between Africa and Europe.
The President paid tribute to French President Emmanuel Macron for his role in supporting the forum and deepening cooperation between the two regions.
“We convey our special gratitude to our co-host, President Emmanuel Macron of France, for his steadfast support and commitment to championing a renewed and forward-looking partnership between Africa and France,” Ruto added.
The Africa Forward Summit has grown into a key platform for shaping discussions on Africa’s development agenda, with this year’s edition placing strong focus on the creative economy and the role of young people in driving innovation and economic transformation.
Ruto’s closing message emphasised continued engagement among participating nations and partners, as attention now shifts to implementing the commitments and proposals discussed during the summit.
He ended his remarks by welcoming delegates back to Kenya in future engagements, saying “Asanteni sana. Karibuni Kenya tena.”