Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has alerted Nairobi residents to expect significant traffic disruptions as the city prepares to host the Africa Forward Summit.
The event, which started Sunday, May 10, and runs through Tuesday, May 12, 2026, will draw a high volume of local and international leaders to the capital. In a statement released on Friday, the government warned that heavy VIP and VVIP motorcades will frequent major transport corridors, urging motorists to plan their travel carefully and bypass affected areas.
The advisory points to Mombasa Road, Lang’ata Road, and Thika Road as the primary zones for congestion and intermittent closures. Travelers should also expect delays along Limuru Road and Kiambu Road as delegates move between venues.
For those heading into the heart of the city, the government plans to fully shut down several key streets starting at midnight on May 11.
“The affected roads include City Hall Way, Parliament Road, Harambee Avenue, and Taifa Road,” the advisory noted. Authorities recommend that commuters use alternative routes during this three-day window to avoid getting caught in the gridlock surrounding the summit’s high-security zones.
Strict security measures will define the summit’s logistics, especially around the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). Authorities will strictly control access to nearby routes, allowing only accredited conference vehicles to approach the main venue.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura urged motorists and the general public to cooperate with these essential security protocols. “The public is advised to avoid affected areas and follow police directions,” the advisory noted.
The Africa Forward Summit serves as a high-stakes arena for global progress, uniting heads of state, policymakers, business titans, and development partners. These leaders will tackle the continent’s most pressing challenges, focusing on trade, infrastructure, climate action, and digital transformation. The gathering provides a critical platform for shaping the future of African-global partnerships.
As Kenya welcomes heads of state, international investors, and influential thinkers for both the summit and its cultural centerpiece, Le Concert, the nation stands at a unique crossroads. This moment allows Kenya to showcase its vibrant cultural heritage and its expanding role in diplomatic and creative circles on the world stage.
Kenya plans to position itself as a leader in e-mobility during the summit, as local innovators seek to secure funding and technical partnerships with the European Union and France. Presidents William Ruto and Emmanuel Macron are jointly hosting the event, marking a historic shift in diplomacy; this is the first time since the tradition began in 1973 that an Africa-France summit has taken place in an English-speaking African nation.
The forum has drawn a massive international presence to Nairobi, including at least 30 African heads of state and over 1,500 global investors and business leaders. This gathering arrives at a pivotal moment as African nations pivot toward more equitable, “mutual benefit” partnerships with global powers.
Meanwhile, France is actively working to modernize its relationship with the continent, navigating a complex geopolitical landscape shaped by the growing influence of China, Russia, India, Turkey, and the Gulf states.
