The France-Africa Summit is a long-standing series of high-level international meetings, a type of diplomatic concept and act, designed to structure and redefine the relationship between France and the African continent. Its origin dates back to 1973, when the first summit was held in Paris under President Georges Pompidou, initially requested by three African heads of state. The original problem it solved was providing a predictable and structured mechanism for multilateral dialogue to redefine France's post-colonial relations and reaffirm its influence, particularly with its former colonies, a concept historically linked to Françafrique.
The mechanism of the summit has evolved significantly over time. Historically, it worked as a meeting between the heads of state of France and African countries, alternating between France and an African capital. However, the 28th summit in Montpellier on October 8, 2021, marked a clear break by excluding African heads of state and instead inviting civil society, young entrepreneurs, and cultural figures to dialogue directly with French President Emmanuel Macron. This change aimed to move away from traditional government-to-government relations and focus on themes like entrepreneurship, innovation, higher education, and culture.
The summit connects to the broader concept of Africa+1 summits, a diplomatic format pioneered by France that has since been adopted by other global powers like China, India, and Russia. A recent change is the shift in geographic focus: the upcoming summit, officially called the Africa Forward Summit, is scheduled to be co-hosted by France and Kenya in Nairobi on May 11–12, 2026. This marks the first time the summit will be held in an English-speaking African country, signaling a strategic shift beyond France's traditional Francophone partners. Key topics for the new format include reform of the international financial architecture, energy transition, green industrialization, and digital innovation.