Kenya Secures Azerbaijan Support Ahead of Africa Urban Forum 2 in Nairobi

Kenya has secured strategic financial and technical support from Azerbaijan ahead of the upcoming Africa Urban Forum 2, strengthening preparations for one of the continent’s most significant urban development gatherings scheduled to take place in Nairobi in two weeks.

The agreement, signed in Nairobi, will see support channelled through Azerbaijan International Development Agency to facilitate the successful delivery of the forum, reinforcing Kenya’s position as a continental centre for urban policy dialogue, innovation and sustainable development partnerships.

Hosted by the Government of Kenya in partnership with the African Union, AUF2 is expected to bring together policymakers, city leaders, urban planners and development partners from across Africa and beyond to advance practical solutions for inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Alice Wahome said the partnership would help ensure that discussions initiated in Nairobi continue onto the global stage.

“In less than two weeks, Nairobi will bring Africa and the world together, and through this partnership, we are ensuring that the conversations we start here continue globally in Baku. That continuity is what will drive real change for our cities,” she said.

Wahome added that the forum presents Kenya with an opportunity to demonstrate progress made in housing delivery, urban renewal and sustainable city development, while drawing lessons from global partners and expanding locally effective solutions.

The partnership comes at a time when Kenya is increasingly positioning itself at the centre of urban transformation conversations on the continent, amid rising urbanisation pressures and growing demand for sustainable infrastructure and affordable housing.

Sultan Hajiyev said the collaboration reflects shared ambitions between Nairobi and Baku in shaping the future of urban development.

“Nairobi and Baku are connected in purpose. The discussions at the Africa Urban Forum will naturally feed into the World Urban Forum, creating a shared platform where Africa and the global community can learn from each other and act together,” he said.

The partnership also creates a strategic bridge between AUF2 and World Urban Forum 13, which is scheduled to take place in Baku from May 17 to 22, 2026, positioning both gatherings as complementary platforms for advancing global urban dialogue and action.

Azerbaijan is expected to send a high-level delegation to Nairobi led by Anar Guliyev. The delegation will include senior government officials, representatives from the State Support Agency for NGOs and private sector actors, reflecting a multi-stakeholder approach to urban transformation.

The second edition of the forum builds on outcomes from the inaugural gathering held in Addis Ababa in 2024 and is expected to culminate in the Nairobi Declaration, which will articulate Africa’s common position on housing and human settlements while highlighting locally driven innovation, partnerships and practical urban solutions.