On 11–12 May 2026, Nairobi hosted the Africa Forward summit, held under the high patronage of Presidents Emmanuel Macron and William Ruto. This landmark gathering brought together more than 2,000 African and European decision-makers, investors and public leaders around a shared objective: strengthening a France–Africa economic partnership built on concrete projects, effective public–private coalitions, and long-term impact.
In this momentum, sport emerged as a strategic pillar in its own right—both a lever for development, social cohesion and territorial attractiveness, and a driver for building strong economic ecosystems. France Sport Expertise was present alongside the Team France institutions mobilized on site (Business France, Bpifrance, Proparco, the AFD Group) to help generate operational cooperation opportunities in support of African territories.
Sport & Development: a structured pathway driven by the AFD Group
At the heart of the discussions was the AFD Group’s Sport & Development approach—now structured and scaling up—with tangible results: €492 million invested since 2018, 400 projects financed, and 10 million young people reached through its programmes.
This action follows a comprehensive model: financing local sports infrastructure, supporting public policies, strengthening the capabilities of the sports ecosystem, and backing civil society—supported by Expertise France as an operational arm.
A France Sport Expertise mission focused on concrete partnerships
In Nairobi, France Sport Expertise led a collective mission in coordination with Business France and partners, with a delegation of three member companies showcasing complementary expertise: Metalu Plast, VOGO, and OSMOSE Ingénierie.The goal was clear: turn ambition into qualified opportunities by meeting the institutions and operators shaping Kenya’s sports ecosystem and the region’s upcoming milestones.
The programme included high-level meetings and field visits with:
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- the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports;
- the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for AFCON 2027;
- the National Olympic Committee of Kenya;
- the Kenya Academy of Sports and Aegis Sports Academy.
A key highlight was the visit to the Talanta Stadium project, a flagship facility embodying Kenya’s ambition to position itself as a leading regional sports hub, in connection with major events ahead.
The mission also illustrated broader Team France cooperation, with a facilitated exchange with the Egyptian Olympic Committee, enriching discussions and creating cross-market synergies.
An unprecedented investment context as an inflection point for the industry
Africa Forward 2026 marked a major milestone in the France–Africa economic narrative, with the announcement of €23 billion in Franco-African investments.
On a continent where, within five years, nearly 40% of the world’s youth will live in Africa (a framing figure widely shared during the summit), sport is becoming a natural accelerator for skills, jobs, useful infrastructure, and influence.
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