Nairobi is set to host the inaugural two-day Mandela African leadership summit, placing Kenya at the epicentre of a bold, home-grown movement to redefine leadership, progress and Pan-African purpose.
The summit will open on February 5th at the Two River Mall and conclude on February 6th 2026, with high-profile speakers and panellists expected to address the forum.
As the first nation ever to host this flagship gathering, Kenya will convene a new generation of leadership architects from entrepreneurs, tech disruptors and creative economy pioneers to diaspora investors and youth policymakers under the rallying cry of Ubuntu: “I am because we are.”
The summit, to be held at the Two Rivers Mall, will translate Africa’s most urgent challenges into its greatest opportunities, with Nairobi serving as the launch pad.
“This is not another talking shop and the world is waiting for Africa to lead itself,” declared Ndaba Mandela, keynote speaker and grandson of Nelson Mandela.
He added: “We are moving from symbolism to strategy; Nairobi is where we unite the continent’s brainpower, its billion-strong youth and its boundless creative spirit to build a future that doesn’t just emulate global models; it surpasses them. This summit is our declaration of interdependence.”
Forged across five critical fronts, from Digital Transformation and Diaspora Collaboration to entrepreneurship, the summit will engineer actionable alliances. It arrives at a pivotal moment: as Africa’s youth population surges and its economic influence grows, the demand for ethical, innovative governance has never been more urgent.
For Kenya, hosting the inaugural summit is both an honour and a strategic masterstroke. It cements Nairobi’s status as the continent’s premier nexus for meaningful dialogue and deal-making, promising significant economic impact across hospitality and tourism and increased international visibility.
But more importantly, it positions Kenya to directly shape continental agendas in technology, sustainable development, and cultural diplomacy.
The Mandela leadership summit exists to advance leadership that serves people, planet and future generations,” its mission states.
By planting its flag first in Nairobi, the Summit sends a clear signal: the future of African leadership will be written in Africa, on African terms.
The Mandela leadership summit is an Africa-focused flagship initiative. Rooted in the continent, it serves as a primary convening space for leadership dialogue, cultural exchange, and collaboration centred on Africa’s present and future.
The platform engages the global African diaspora and Africa’s closest neighbours to foster ethical, transformative leadership that serves people, planet and future generations.
Inspired by the legacy of Nelson Mandela, the summit advances unity, peace, and understanding across sectors including environment, technology, arts, education, and business, while honouring indigenous heritage, strengthening global connections and promoting sustainable progress for Africa and the world.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
