Police block protesters from accessing KICC during Africa Forward Summit, several arrested

Witnesses said the activists were repelled as they attempted to get closer to the summit venue, with some bundled into police vehicles, including foreigners.

Security was tightened around KICC following the incident, with access routes cordoned off and police officers visibly patrolling the corridors of the convention centre.

The Africa Forward Summit entered its second day on Tuesday, with high-level sessions scheduled at KICC focusing on financing reforms, peace and security, artificial intelligence, the blue economy, health and agriculture.

The programme lists a plenary working lunch on reforming the international financial architecture and improving Africa’s access to sustainable financing from 12.30pm to 2.30pm, with speakers including French President Emmanuel Macron, World Bank managing director Kristalina Georgieva and Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

A peace and security plenary is set for 3.00pm to 4.30pm, with opening remarks by President William Ruto and President Macron, followed by discussions featuring UN Secretary-General António Guterres and African Union Commission chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.

Later sessions include parallel roundtables on AI and digital technologies, the blue economy, health and agriculture.