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Butita apologises to Emmanuel Macron for missing French-Africa Summit
11th May, 2026 08:20 PM
Kenyan comedian and filmmaker Eddie Butita has publicly apologised to French President Emmanuel Macron after failing to attend the French-Africa Summit due to travel delays.
In a statement shared online on Monday evening, May 11, 2026, Butita said unavoidable delays in Shenzhen prevented him from making it to the highly anticipated summit, where he had hoped to take part in conversations around Africa’s growing creative economy.
“My sincere apologies to French President Emmanuel Macron for not being able to attend the French-Africa Summit due to unavoidable delays in Shenzhen,” Butita wrote.
The comedian noted that he had been looking forward to contributing to discussions on the role of the creative industry in shaping communication, business, culture and global partnerships.
“I was looking forward to contributing to the conversation on how the creative economy continues to shape modern communication, business, culture, and global relationships,” he added.
Butita also hinted at a future meeting with Macron later this year, saying he hopes to continue the discussions privately.
“Looking forward to continuing the discussions later this summer during our private meeting, which I will not post at all,” Butita wrote.
Macron is currently in Kenya for the Africa Forward Summit, which has brought together leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs and creatives to discuss partnerships between Africa and Europe.
Africa Forward Summit
Nairobi hosts the Africa Forward Summit, which kicked off on Monday, May 11, 2026, a high-profile gathering bringing together heads of state, business leaders, investors, and policymakers from across Africa and beyond.
The summit is expected to focus on issues such as artificial intelligence, infrastructure, climate action, manufacturing, green energy, youth employment, and economic transformation.
Kenya is hosting the summit as part of efforts to position itself as a regional hub for diplomacy, innovation, and international investment.
President Macron’s visit to Kenya has already seen the signing of 11 bilateral agreements between the two countries covering transport, aviation, digital transformation, agriculture, nuclear energy, meteorological services, and the blue economy.
Among the flagship projects announced is the modernisation of the Nairobi Central Station to Embakasi Rail Line 5 project, aimed at improving urban transport connectivity in the capital.
