Bien, Fally Ipupa and Yemi Alade to share stage at Africa Forward Summit in Kasarani
By Valerian Khakayi, May 5, 2026Kenya’s multitalented musician Bien-Aimé Baraza is among the top African music stars set to headline a major cultural showcase at the Africa Forward Summit 2026, where he will share the stage with Fally Ipupa and Yemi Alade in Nairobi.
The lineup also includes Youssou N’Dour, among other international creatives, with performances set to electrify the summit and reinforce Africa’s position as a global powerhouse in music and the creative arts.
In a statement shared by the Principal Secretary, State Department for Sports, Republic of Kenya, Elijah Mwangi, a major highlight of the event scheduled for Monday, May 11 and Tuesday, May 12, will be a series of music concerts featuring some of Africa’s top artistes, staged at the multi-use Kasarani Indoor Arena.
According to the PS, the Africa Forward Summit 2026 is a landmark global event jointly hosted by Kenya and France, underscoring how Kenya’s investment in sports infrastructure is enhancing international partnerships.
“The Africa Forward Summit 2026, a global event jointly hosted by Kenya and France, is a monumental milestone in defining how Kenya’s strategic investment in sports infrastructure has turned into a central pillar in supporting the forging of international partnerships,” Mwangi stated.
“A major highlight of this summit, slotted for 11th-12th of May, is the staging of Africa’s greatest musical concerts at the magnificent multi-use Kasarani Indoor Arena.”
“The concern will feature international creatives and continent’s music superstars, including Bien, Fally Ipupa, Yemi Alade and Youssou N’Dour among others whose performance is set to electrify the summit and reinforce Africa’s prime place in the universe of music icons.”
Africa Forward Summit 2026
In addition, Mwangi added that the event is a joint initiative between Kenya and France, co-chaired by President William Ruto and President Emmanuel Macron.
“Alongside my colleague PSs Dr. Korir Sing’Oei, (Foreign Affairs), I led senior government officials in conducting an extensive inspection tour of the Kasarani Indoor Arena as part of Kenya’s preparatory initiatives ahead of the hosting of Africa-Forward Summit, a historic meeting that will be co-chaired by Kenya’s President HE Dr. William Samoei Ruto and HE Emmanuel Macron, President of France,” Mwangi said.
“With the arena currently under intensive retrofitting to transform and customise it into a grand theater to stage a world-class show, I am confident Kenya will deliver a masterpiece worthy of the event as well as demonstrate to the world the capacity of our sports infrastructure to accommodate global concerts, international tournaments and musical shows.”
The high-level gathering is expected to convene heads of state, investors, policymakers and cultural leaders to deepen cooperation between Africa and Europe.