Our initiatives

KESSA
The Young Panafrican Storytellers Program

KESSA is a joint initiative of the The French-African Foundation andUM6P Story School,aimed at identifying, supporting and showcasing a new generation of African storytellers, artists, journalists, scientists, creators, cultural entrepreneurs, influencers and emerging voices shaping a modern, bold and inspiring African narrative.

During an immersive week at the UM6P Story School Campus, the selected participants benefited from a training and experimentation environment at the crossroads of creativity, innovation and storytelling, guided by leading experts from Africa’s media and cultural landscape.

Davos 2026
PRIVATE CEOs DINNER

On 21 January 2026, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, the French-African Foundation brought together a select group of African and international business leaders, investors and high-level decision-makers for a private strategic dinner.

The meeting aimed to reposition Africa within evolving global value chains, mobilise private capital to strengthen the continent’s industrial competitiveness, and establish Africa as an influential player in the governance of international trade.

Among the participants were Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Director-General, WTO), Wamkele Mene (Secretary-General, AfCFTA), Thierry Déau (Founder & CEO, Meridiam), Jurie Strydom (CEO, Old Mutual), Kathleen Kallot (Founder & CEO, Amini) and Ali Seddiki (Director-General, AMDIE),among others.

Africa Forward Summit

High-Level Lunch

In partnership with Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, the French-African Foundation hosted an exclusive high-level lunch on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit, bringing together a select group of leaders and investors to deepen the dialogue on accelerating intra-African trade and strengthening financing mechanisms.

Participants included Jeremy Awori (CEO, Ecobank), Makhtar Diop (Managing Director, IFC), Wamkele Mene (Secretary-General, AfCFTA), Rodolphe Saadé (Chairman & CEO, CMA CGM), Christel Heydemann (CEO, Orange), Jean-Pascal Tricoire (Chairman, Schneider Electric) and Mohammed Dewji (CEO, MeTL Group), among others.

Youth Session

In partnership with the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the The French-African Foundation organised the Youth Session of the Africa Forward Summit alongside Présidents Emmanuel Macron and William RutoDiscussions focused on technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, youth employment and Africa’s place on the international stage.

Young Leaders, Future Makers and alumni from the Foundation’s network took to the stage to represent the voice of the new generation and put forward concrete solutions for the future of the continent.

NOVA GARAGE – A Pan-African Innovation Platform

NOVA GARAGE is a joint initiative of the French-African Foundation and the Autonomous Advancement Initiative (AAI), supported by the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with Concerto and Nuvision. It aims to identify, showcase and connect a new generation of African tech entrepreneurs under the age of 35. These founders are developing high-impact solutions in technology, energy, agriculture, mobility and finance.

Held on 11 May 2026 at the Kenya Cultural Centre in Nairobi, on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit and under the High Patronage of H.E. William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, NOVA GARAGE brought together the 15 selected founders at the heart of Silicon Savannah. They met with investors, executives from major corporations and public decision-makers. It was a rare opportunity bringing together innovation, capital and public policy, designed to become a lasting platform for visibility and cooperation between Africa and France.