Tourism and Wildlife CS Rebecca Miano, French Minister delegate for Francophonie and International Partnerships, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Thani Mohamed-Soilihi and PS John Lekakeny Ololtuaa during a cocktail reception at the French Embassy in Nairobi on May 29, 2025./DOUGLAS OKIDDY

France and Nairobi County have signed a new agreement to promote affordable housing and slum upgrading in the Kenyan capital, with a focus on creating international cooperation hubs to advance inclusive and sustainable urban development.

The deal was formalised during the two-day visit of French Minister Delegate for Francophonie and International Partnerships, Thani Mohamed-Soilihi, who represented France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

The signing ceremony took place at the United Nations Complex in Gigiri, Nairobi.

France, through Mohamed-Soilihi, committed to partnering with City Hall and the national government to expand access to social housing and upgrade informal settlements in Nairobi.

“I am delighted to sign this declaration of cooperation in the field of social housing between France and UN-Habitat,” said Mohamed-Soilihi.

French Ambassador to Kenya Arnaud Suquet addressing guests during a cocktail reception at the French Embassy in Nairobi on May 29, 2025./DOUGLAS OKIDDY

 “This is the first milestone in a strengthened partnership, which will culminate in the creation of a ‘Cooperation Hub’ in Paris to promote innovative solutions in social housing globally.”

Two major agreements were signed. The first was between UN-Habitat, the city of Paris, and the city of Nairobi to establish a Social Housing Hub in both Paris and Nairobi.

The initiative aims to connect the Global North and South through community-driven housing solutions. Signatories included the Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo, UN-Habitat Executive Director Anclaudia Rossbach, and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.

The second agreement, between UN-Habitat and the French government, will facilitate the setup of a global cooperation hub to support sustainable housing through knowledge exchange, capacity building, and international partnerships.

“I welcome the commitment of the Mayor of Paris and the Governor of Nairobi to bring this initiative to fruition… France is fully mobilised for affordable, sustainable, and inclusive housing,” added Mohamed-Soilihi, noting the integration of energy efficiency and digital connectivity in housing.

Governor Sakaja expressed optimism that the partnership would move beyond policy to practical impact.

“We will be working closely with the national government, and I hope these partnerships can move from overquoted statistics to real actions where we see real lives being changed,” Sakaja said.

French Minister Delegate for Francophonie and International Partnerships, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Thani Mohamed-Soilihi, and University of Nairobi vice chancellor Prof. Patrick Verkooijen,​ during a cocktail reception at the French Embassy in Nairobi on May 29, 2025./DOUGLAS OKIDDY

The visit also included a high-level dialogue on housing, co-chaired by Mohamed-Soilihi and Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development, Alice Wahome, as part of the plenary of the UN-Habitat Assembly.

In the evening, French Ambassador Arnaud Suquet hosted Mohamed-Soilihi at his residence for a cocktail reception celebrating French gastronomy, attended by Tourism CS Rebecca Miano, PS John Lekakeny Ololtuaa, Kenya Utalii College CEO Mark Ogendi, and other officials.

The reception featured cuisine from Réunion Island, a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean. Chefs Kevin Minatchy, Julien Leveneur, and Thomas Telegone were present for the event, part of a week-long culinary masterclass titled Semaine Excellence Péi.

The initiative highlights France’s intent to foster a Franco-Kenyan partnership in hospitality, tourism, and culinary arts, with training programs at Kenya Utalii College and deeper cultural exchanges linking the two nations via the Indian Ocean.