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‎Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei has stepped up preparations for the upcoming Africa Forward Summit, convening a high-level meeting with Nairobi hotel managers to streamline hospitality arrangements ahead of the May 11–12 gathering.

‎Speaking during the engagement in Nairobi, Sing’oei emphasised the central role of hotels in shaping the experience of visiting dignitaries, noting that the success of the summit will depend heavily on the standards upheld by the hospitality sector.

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‎“Hotels are our frontline partners in hosting VVIP delegations,” he said.

‎“Your commitment to excellence is what will showcase our nation’s hospitality on the global stage.”

‎The meeting brought together managers from leading hotels, with discussions centering on coordination, protocol, security, and service delivery.

‎Sing’oei revealed that the government is in the process of creating a database of preferred hotel partners, selected based on reliability, capacity, and quality.

‎“By establishing a database of preferred partners, we are building a sustainable framework for successful long-term collaboration,” he added.

‎“This will not only benefit this summit but also position Kenya strongly for future international events.”

‎Hotel managers welcomed the initiative, saying early engagement allows them to align their operations with government expectations.

‎The Africa Forward Summit is expected to draw heads of state, senior government officials, investors, and policy leaders from across the continent and beyond. Organisers say the forum will focus on advancing Africa’s economic transformation, boosting intra-African trade, and accelerating innovation in key sectors such as technology, energy, and infrastructure.

‎The summit also comes at a time when African countries are increasingly seeking homegrown solutions to global challenges, from climate change to shifting geopolitical dynamics.

‎Kenya, which has hosted several high-level international conferences in recent years, is positioning itself as a key diplomatic and business hub in the region.

‎“We want this summit to reflect not just our organisational capacity, but also the warmth and professionalism that Kenya is known for,” Sing’oei said.

‎For Nairobi’s hospitality industry, the event presents both an opportunity and a test.

‎With over 2,000 delegates expected, hotels will be under pressure to deliver world-class services while adhering to strict timelines and protocols.

‎As the countdown begins, stakeholders remain focused on fine-tuning every detail, with the government expressing confidence that the country is on track to host a successful and impactful summit.

‎Meanwhile, the Organizing Committee preparing the summit met the PS on Sunday to provide an update on the plans for the highly anticipated conference.

‎Led by Ambassador Ogutu, the committee briefed him on progress made and outlined areas requiring closer coordination ahead of the inaugural event.

‎During the meeting, Sing’Oei stressed the need for strong inter-agency collaboration, clear communication, and timely execution to ensure seamless delivery.

‎The summit will feature a business forum to advance trade, investment, and innovation partnerships between Africa and France, as well as platforms for inclusive civil society engagement.

‎‎The PS underscored that preparations must reflect Kenya’s ability to deliver a world-class event with precision, efficiency, and excellence.

‎The summit is a milestone in relations between France and the African continent, nearly 10 years after the speech of the French President’s speech in Ouagadougou.

‎This is the first summit of its kind to be hosted and co-chaired with an English-speaking country.

‎It reflects robust and balanced Africa-France partnerships built in support of each country’s economic development because they are based on real complementarities and to the benefit of populations.

‎It builds on the summit on the Financing of African Economies held in Paris in 2021; the New Global Financing Pact held in Paris in 2023; and the Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi the same year, as well as the European Union-African Union Summit held in Luanda in November 2025.