Nairobi, Kenya- May 10th, 2026
His Excellency William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, on Sunday morning hosted His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, at State House in Nairobi ahead of the highly anticipated Africa Forward Summit.
The high-level engagement provided an opportunity for both leaders to reaffirm the longstanding diplomatic relations between Sierra Leone and Kenya, while also discussing areas of mutual cooperation and shared continental priorities in preparation for the summit.
President Bio is among several African Heads of State and Government currently in Kenya to participate in the Africa Forward Summit, a major international gathering expected to convene global leaders, policymakers, development partners, and representatives of multilateral organisations from across the world.
The summit, scheduled to take place at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre and the University of Nairobi, is hosted by both Kenya and France, the first edition held outside Francophone Africa, is expected to focus on strengthening Africa–France relations, promoting multilateral cooperation, and advancing collective responses to regional and global challenges.
The meeting between Presidents Ruto and Bio underscored the growing commitment by African leaders to deepen regional collaboration and enhance strategic partnerships that support sustainable development, trade, peace, and economic transformation across the continent.
Also in attendance at the State House meeting were the former Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Sidi Mohamed Tunis; Sierra Leone’s Minister of Finance, Hon. Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura; Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to Kenya, Lt Gen. (Rtd.) Peter K. Lavahun; the Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Alpha Ibrahim Sesay; as well as senior government officials from the Republic of Kenya.
A. B. Dakowa
SLHC, Kenya