Staff Reporter
VICE President Lucia Witbooi will represent Namibia at the upcoming Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi from 11 to 12 May 2026, where African leaders and international partners are expected to discuss innovation, infrastructure, climate resilience and economic growth.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah delegated Witbooi to attend the high-level summit, which is being held under the theme: “Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth.”
The summit, co-convened by Kenya and France with the endorsement of the African Union, will bring together African Heads of State and Government, the President of France, representatives of international financial institutions, development agencies, private sector leaders and policy experts.
According to the Presidency, the summit aims to promote a more balanced and forward-looking partnership between Africa and France, moving beyond traditional donor-recipient relations toward cooperation based on mutual respect, shared prosperity and Africa’s growing strategic role globally.
Discussions are expected to focus on innovation and technology, infrastructure financing, renewable energy, climate resilience, industrialisation, digital transformation, food security, youth empowerment, trade and investment, and sustainable economic growth.
The summit will also provide African leaders with a platform to advocate for reforms in global governance and financial systems to better reflect the priorities and realities of developing economies.
For Namibia, participation in the summit is expected to strengthen bilateral and multilateral partnerships, attract investment opportunities and support the country’s development priorities under Vision 2030 and the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6).
The Presidency said the summit also offers Namibia an opportunity to engage on issues such as energy transition, green industrialisation, infrastructure development and innovation-driven growth.
During the visit, Witbooi is expected to participate in several high-level engagements aimed at strengthening cooperation and positioning Namibia as a reliable international partner.
The Vice President is scheduled to depart for Nairobi on Sunday, 10 May 2026, and return to Namibia on Wednesday, 13 May 2026.
Photo: Namibian Presidency
