Event report
French Week Day 1: Ai & Digital Innovation For Industries
French Week Nairobi 2025 kicked off this morning with a compelling start, bringing together leaders from government, industry, and the France–Kenya business community to chart the future of collaboration between both countries.
Domitille Guilloton, Executive Director FCCK, opened the day by appreciating partners and reaffirming the significance of this year’s edition. Our President Thibault Flichy followed with an overview of the three-day program and the themes guiding this year’s conversations.
H.E. Arnaud Suquet, Ambassador of France to Kenya, highlighted France’s support for Kenya’s economic growth—from job creation to major bilateral financing—along with upcoming projects such as the wind power installation in Kajiado and a new science, technology, and engineering hub at the University of Nairobi. He also positioned French Week as a key milestone ahead of the Africa–France Summit in May 2026.
The event was officially opened by Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo, Ministry of Information, Communications & The Digital Economy, who noted Kenya’s leadership in safe digital innovation, renewable energy, and the expanding digital economy. He emphasized the strong opportunities for deeper France–Kenya collaboration in technology, energy, and innovation.
Day 1 sessions delivered sharp, future-shaping insights across three key panels:
AI Unplugged explored responsible AI frameworks, digital identity, Me-Commerce, data residency, and the growing demand for data centers.
The HealthTech Revolution showcased digital care pathways, emergency data capture, supply-chain visibility, and the need for interoperability in healthcare.
Building Digital Infrastructure for Growth underscored the central role of clean power, scalable data centers, and reliable connectivity in enabling Kenya’s digital transformation.
Attendees also engaged with partner booths exhibiting cutting-edge innovations that reflect the energy and ambition of the week.
A powerful opening to French Week Nairobi 2025, setting the stage for deep dialogue, strong partnerships, and practical pathways shaping Kenya’s digital and economic future.
