President Mahama in Nairobi for the Africa Forward Summit

The President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, has arrived in Nairobi to participate in the Africa Forward Summit, a high-level France-Africa partnership meeting focused on sustainable development, economic transformation, and global cooperation.

The summit, hosted by Emmanuel Macron, has brought together African Heads of State, international development partners, global business leaders, and financial institutions to discuss strategies aimed at strengthening Africa’s economic resilience and accelerating sustainable growth across the continent.

President Mahama is attending the summit in his capacity as the African Union (AU) Champion for African Financial Institutions, a role that places him at the forefront of efforts to improve Africa’s financial systems and strengthen the continent’s economic position globally.

One of the major highlights of the summit will see President Mahama participating in a high-level discussion on Green Industrialisation and Energy Transition scheduled for Tuesday morning. The session will focus on how African countries can industrialise sustainably while responding to the growing challenges posed by climate change and the global energy transition.

The discussion is expected to explore investments in renewable energy, climate-resilient infrastructure, green manufacturing, and policies that can help African economies transition toward environmentally sustainable growth models without compromising development goals.

Later in the day, President Mahama will participate in a working lunch on the Reform of the International Financial Architecture. The session will focus on improving access to sustainable financing for African countries and advocating for a more equitable global financial system that responds effectively to the specific economic realities and developmental needs of the continent.

As AU Champion for African Financial Institutions, President Mahama is expected to push for reforms that would enable African economies to access affordable financing, reduce debt vulnerabilities, and strengthen local financial institutions capable of supporting long-term development.

In addition to economic and financial discussions, President Mahama will also co-chair a roundtable discussion on global health under the theme: “Rethinking Global Health and Building Resilient National Health Systems.”

The health-focused dialogue forms part of the broader Accra Reset Initiative, an initiative being championed by President Mahama to strengthen healthcare systems, improve emergency preparedness, and promote sustainable health financing across Africa following lessons learned from recent global health crises.

On the sidelines of the summit, President Mahama is also expected to hold several high-profile bilateral meetings with key international leaders and financial stakeholders.

These include discussions with António Guterres, Kristalina Georgieva, and Alvaro Lario.

The bilateral engagements are expected to focus on strengthening global cooperation, enhancing economic stability, promoting food security, and exploring new opportunities for development support in Ghana and across Africa.

Analysts say President Mahama’s participation in the summit underscores Ghana’s growing role in continental and international policy discussions, particularly in areas relating to financial reform, sustainable development, climate action, and health sector resilience.

President Mahama is expected to conclude his engagements and depart Nairobi on Tuesday evening before returning to Accra.