Ndaba Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, will be a keynote speaker at the inaugural Mandela African Leadership Summit to be held in Nairobi on February 5 to 6, 2026./KNA

Nairobi is set to host the inaugural two-day Mandela African Leadership Summit, placing Kenya at the epicentre of a movement aiming to redefine leadership, progress and Pan-African purpose.

The summit will be held from February 5 to 6 at Two Rivers Mall, with high-profile speakers and panellists expected to address the forum.

As the first nation to host this flagship gathering, Kenya will convene a new generation of leadership architects, ranging from entrepreneurs, tech disruptors and creative economy pioneers to diaspora investors and youth policymakers, under the rallying cry of Ubuntu: “I am because we are.”

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The summit will translate Africa’s most urgent challenges into its greatest opportunities.

“This is not another talking shop, and the world is waiting for Africa to lead itself,” declared Ndaba Mandela, keynote speaker and grandson of Nelson Mandela.

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He added: “We are moving from symbolism to strategy. Nairobi is where we unite the continent’s brainpower, its billion-strong youth and its boundless creative spirit to build a future that doesn’t just emulate global models, it surpasses them. This summit is our declaration of interdependence.”

The summit arrives at a pivotal moment, as Africa’s youth population surges, economic influence grows and the demand for ethical, innovative governance becomes urgent.

“The Mandela Leadership Summit exists to advance leadership that serves people, planet and future generations,” its mission states.

The summit serves as a primary convening space for leadership dialogue, cultural exchange and collaboration, engaging the global African diaspora and Africa’s closest neighbours.

Inspired by the legacy of Nelson Mandela, the summit advances unity, peace and understanding across sectors including environment, technology, arts, education and business, while honouring indigenous heritage, strengthening global connections and promoting sustainable progress for Africa and the world.