NAIROBI, Kenya — French President Emmanuel Macron briefly interrupted proceedings at the Africa Forward Summit 2026 in Nairobi on Monday to reprimand delegates for making noise while artists and young speakers addressed the gathering.
Macron, who is co-chairing the summit alongside President William Ruto, paused the session to call for silence, describing the disruptions as disrespectful to those on stage.
“This is a total lack of respect,” Macron told the audience as conversations and movement continued during presentations by youth representatives and performers.
The French president urged attendees to pay attention to the speakers, stressing the importance of listening to young voices participating in the summit discussions.
The incident occurred during one of the summit’s sessions at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, where heads of state, investors, business leaders, and policymakers from Africa and Europe gathered for discussions on innovation, trade, climate action, and economic cooperation.
Videos of the moment quickly circulated online, drawing mixed reactions from social media users, with some praising Macron for defending the speakers while others criticised the diplomatic tone of the intervention.
The Africa Forward Summit has brought together more than 30 African heads of state and thousands of delegates in Nairobi for talks centred on Africa-Europe partnerships, financing reforms, infrastructure investment, digital transformation, and green growth.
Macron has been among the most visible international leaders attending the summit, holding bilateral talks with Kenyan officials and participating in several public engagements since arriving in Kenya.
