NAIROBI: African leaders and the French government have formally adopted the Nairobi Declaration during the Africa Forward Summit 2026, establishing a comprehensive framework for peace and security, economic transformation, climate resilience, digital innovation, and sustainable development across the continent. The declaration underscores a renewed commitment to African-led solutions, strategic partnerships, and collective action on shared challenges.
The summit, which convened high-level officials from across Africa and France, stressed the urgent need to reinforce African peace and security initiatives. Participants called for enhanced cooperation against terrorism and cross-border threats, and for bolstering institutional stability in conflict-affected zones, with particular emphasis on the Horn of Africa and Somalia. The declaration reaffirmed support for African Union security initiatives and urged stronger international collaboration to fully implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719, which is designed to guarantee predictable and sustainable funding for African-led peace support operations.
A major focus of the declaration is the Blue Economy and maritime security. Leaders pledged to intensify collective action against piracy, illegal fishing, and maritime trafficking while protecting vital international shipping lanes and coastal economies. Somalia has been actively advancing its maritime sector as a cornerstone of economic development, and the declaration aligns with ongoing efforts to safeguard the country’s long coastline and harness its blue economy potential. Recent piracy incidents off the Somali coast have underscored the urgency of strengthened maritime security cooperation, and the Nairobi Declaration commits signatories to enhanced surveillance, joint patrols, and information-sharing to counter these threats.
On economic development, the declaration advocates for greater investment in infrastructure, renewable energy, agriculture, digital transformation, and industrialisation to foster inclusive growth and employment opportunities across Africa. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as the continent’s most ambitious vehicle for economic integration, pledging to reduce non-tariff barriers, harmonise trade regulations, and promote value-added production to decrease reliance on raw commodity exports. The declaration also calls for stronger regional integration and enhanced connectivity to boost intra-African trade and resilience against global economic shocks.
The declaration recognises the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and digital technologies for Africa’s future. Leaders committed to investing in digital infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, youth capacity-building, and ethical AI governance. Somalia has already taken significant steps in this direction, with the private sector playing a key role in advancing digital inclusion. Mogadishu has positioned itself as a regional leader in AI integration, and the Nairobi Declaration reinforces the importance of harnessing emerging technologies to accelerate sustainable development while safeguarding data protection and cybersecurity.
Climate resilience features prominently in the declaration, with signatories emphasising the need for strengthened adaptation and mitigation measures. Somalia has been vocal on the continent’s water security challenges and has aligned its climate commitments with the UN’s Agenda 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The declaration calls for increased investment in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, disaster preparedness, and ecosystem protection to build long-term resilience against climate shocks.
The summit concluded with a reaffirmed dedication to partnerships founded on mutual respect, joint investment, and collective prosperity. Governments, development partners, and the private sector were encouraged to work together to advance sustainable development and resilience throughout Africa. The Nairobi Declaration sets a roadmap for concrete action, with follow-up mechanisms to monitor progress and ensure accountability across all priority areas.
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