The Prime Minister of Sénégal, Ousmane Sonko, led the official send-off ceremony this morning for the Sénégalaise delegation en route to Nairobi for the high-profile Africa Forward summit. The event, running until May 13, 2026, brings together heads of state, global donors, and key private sector players to shape Africa’s future.
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, already in attendance, will be accompanied by a ministerial team and financial experts to champion a bold, sovereign agenda on the world stage. Before departure, the Prime Minister underscored a non-negotiable principle: no development without sovereignty, no sovereignty without autonomous financing. For Dakar, participation is not just symbolic—it’s a strategic move to challenge and reshape the continent’s financial frameworks, moving beyond restrictive conditionalities that stifle Africa’s economic potential.
The Africa Forward summit marks a groundbreaking dialogue format between Africa and France, tackling critical issues like debt restructuring, infrastructure funding, energy transition, and regional security. Sénégal is pushing for balanced public-private partnerships (PPPs) that unlock capital while safeguarding the country’s strategic autonomy.
