In Summary:

The inaugural Trust Summit 2026 has concluded with a declaration calling for global financial reforms, reduced trade barriers, stronger digital governance and increased investment in institutional accountability. The Nairobi Declaration on Trust outlines proposals to reduce the economic costs of distrust, improve cross-border trade and expand opportunities for African businesses and young entrepreneurs. Key commitments include a Regulatory Trust Index, a Nairobi Trust Council and a proposed Global Trust Facility to support trust-building infrastructure.

Global leaders have called for stronger institutional accountability and international cooperation to reduce the economic costs of distrust, as the inaugural Trust Summit 2026 concluded in Nairobi with a declaration outlining measures to strengthen trade, investment and sustainable development.

Held from October 21 to 23 under the theme “Weaving Trust: Binding Strands for a Stronger Global Order,” the summit brought together government representatives, regional and international organisations, private sector players, civil society, researchers, media, technology companies and young people to discuss practical approaches to rebuilding trust.

The resulting Nairobi Declaration on Trust and Call to Action identifies distrust as an economic challenge that increases the cost of doing business through duplicated regulatory assessments, higher trade finance costs, financial risk premiums, additional compliance requirements and costly logistics delays.

For African businesses seeking to expand across borders, these challenges can increase operating expenses and complicate access to regional markets. The declaration therefore calls for stronger regulatory cooperation and mutual recognition of testing, certification, licensing and supervisory decisions, building on frameworks such as the East African Community and the African Continental Free Trade Area.

The summit also committed to developing a Regulatory Trust Index to assess institutional trust at national, regional and global levels annually. If implemented effectively, the initiative could help identify regulatory weaknesses and encourage greater transparency and predictability for businesses and investors.

The declaration raises concerns about inequalities in global financial institutions and international trading arrangements, arguing that these place disproportionate economic burdens on developing countries.

It calls for reforms to make multilateral institutions more representative, transparent, responsive and accountable. It also proposes a biennial study by relevant international organisations, including the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, to quantify the global hedging costs of distrust, described as the “trust tax.”

Another major proposal is a Global Trust Facility to be championed through the United Nations and administered by the United Nations Development Programme. Intended to receive voluntary contributions from state and non-state actors over four years, the proposed facility would support institutional infrastructure, including accreditation bodies, data protection and cybersecurity authorities, regulatory trust indices and judicial cooperation mechanisms.

The declaration also proposes establishing a Coalition on Global Trust and an inclusive Nairobi Trust Council, hosted by Kenya, to bring together stakeholders and review progress on commitments to rebuild trust. A Framework for Action, supported by biennial monitoring and reporting, is expected to guide implementation.

The declaration identifies digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence as important areas for strengthening trust and supporting economic growth. It calls for affordable connectivity, stronger digital skills, secure digital infrastructure and greater African representation in international AI governance processes.

For businesses, these priorities have implications for digital trade, cybersecurity, data protection and innovation. The declaration also calls for greater transparency in the use of artificial intelligence and stronger support for independent journalism, academic freedom and scientific integrity.

Youth economic participation is another priority. Recognising that approximately 70 per cent of sub-Saharan Africa's population is under 30, the declaration calls for sustainable employment pathways, entrepreneurship support and expanded access to finance for youth-led enterprises.

It further urges governments and the private sector to ensure that young people, women, persons with disabilities and other underrepresented communities participate meaningfully in economic and public decision-making, with mechanisms to translate their recommendations into measurable outcomes.

The summit also highlighted the importance of trust in addressing climate change and public health challenges. The declaration calls for stronger partnerships in climate finance, technology transfer and capacity building to support green growth and sustainable development.

On public health, it advocates transparent communication, accountable institutions, sustainable financing and equitable access to medical innovations. These measures are intended to strengthen preparedness for health emergencies and build resilient health systems.

Implementation will determine the economic impact

The Nairobi Declaration provides a framework for continued international cooperation, with the summit expected to convene every two years and the possibility of extending Trust Dialogues to other regions.

For Kenya and the wider African region, the commitments present an opportunity to advance discussions on trade facilitation, financial reform, digital governance and inclusive economic development.

However, the economic benefits will depend on how the proposals are implemented, whether adequate financing is secured and whether participating institutions demonstrate measurable progress.

For businesses and investors, the ultimate test will be whether these initiatives help reduce transaction costs, improve regulatory predictability and create a more reliable environment for cross-border trade and investment.

The summit's central message is that trust must extend beyond diplomatic declarations to practical institutional reforms that support economic cooperation, accountability and sustainable growth.