Civil society questions transparency at Africa Forward Summit

Speaking during the second day of the summit co-hosted with French President Emmanuel Macron, Ruto said Africa should no longer be viewed as a continent seeking aid, but as a strategic global partner.

He stated that “Africa approaches this summit not from the margins of global affairs, but as a strategic actor in its own right,” adding that the continent must pursue “partnerships built on sovereign equality and mutual benefit.”

Ruto further emphasized that Africa must finance its own transformation, saying, “Africa must increasingly finance Africa,” while criticizing global financial systems that impose “disproportionately high borrowing costs” and distorted risk perceptions on African economies.

His sentiments were echoed by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who said Africa is “part of the solution to global challenges,” including climate change and innovation.

President Macron, on his part, reaffirmed France’s commitment to a renewed partnership, saying cooperation should be based on “mutually beneficial investments” and “win-win engagements” rather than aid or dependency.

The summit attracted African Heads of State, investors, and development partners seeking to deepen cooperation between Africa and Europe.

However, civil society groups and experts raised concerns about transparency, inclusivity, and the nature of agreements being discussed behind closed doors.

Climate, energy, and development expert Joab Okanda warned that Africa must negotiate carefully, arguing that the continent should prioritize “economic justice, technology transfer, environmental justice, and economic sovereignty.”

From civil society, Gillian Hamilton of Green Connection South Africa said there was “a lack of transparency and access to the rooms,” warning that communities in mining areas often become “sacrifice zones” under exploitative extractive deals.

She added, “I think we should be cautious and request a lot more transparency from the French than we are seeing at the moment.”

Anthony Ombara also criticized the exclusion of civil society groups, saying, “we were left out of the conversations,” and questioned why communities affected by poverty, conflict, and resource extraction were not part of decision-making processes.

He added that while leaders spoke about partnership, “we are not expecting help, we are expecting partnerships,” insisting that Africans must be involved in shaping solutions affecting their lives.

Meanwhile, Wafa Misrar stressed that “there is no development without climate as a pillar,” warning that African communities continue to suffer the impacts of droughts, floods, and energy poverty.

As debates around transparency intensified, five activists arrested during protests against the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi were arraigned at the Milimani Magistrates Court.

The accused, Beres Muthomi, Tracy Phanice Auma, Patience Gitau, Kenneth Juma, and Samuel Jomunga, were charged with offensive conduct conducive to breaches of peace following demonstrations held near the University of Nairobi on May 11, 2026.

According to court documents, the five allegedly threw stones and shouted during protests linked to the summit, causing fear among participants and disrupting public order near summit venues.

Principal Magistrate Rose Ndombi granted each accused a cash bail of Ksh.5,000 or an alternative bond of Ksh.50,000.

The case will be mentioned on May 18, 2026, before Magistrate Irene Thamara for further directions.

The summit ended with renewed calls for Africa to push for fair trade, climate justice, debt reforms, and stronger representation in global decision-making, as leaders emphasized a shift from aid-based relationships toward strategic and equitable partnerships.