France Broadens African Engagement at Summit in Kenya
France, often criticized for neo-colonial interference in African nations where it has historically maintained close ties, is expanding its approach by co-hosting a summit of African leaders in Kenya, an English-speaking country, for the first time.
At the Africa Forward Summit held in Nairobi on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized "co-investment" and "equal footing partnerships" while addressing shared challenges such as security, economic dependence, and geopolitical competition.
Kenya's President William Ruto, co-host of the two-day summit, echoed these views, stating that Africa must actively participate in shaping the emerging global order rather than remaining on its periphery.
Macron announced investments totaling $27 billion (£20 billion) in Africa targeting sectors including energy transition, digital technology and artificial intelligence, the maritime economy, and agriculture.
"Africa is succeeding. It's the youngest continent in the world… and needs investment to become more self-reliant,"Macron said on Monday, adding that these investments would generate approximately 250,000 jobs both in Africa and France.
"We are not simply here to come and invest on the African continent alongside you - we need the great African business leaders to come and invest in France,"he told attendees at Nairobi's convention centre, according to AFP.
Shifting Dynamics in France-Africa Relations
The summit aims to diversify Paris's partnerships and secure investment deals amid rising anti-French sentiment and declining influence in former colonies, particularly in West Africa. This reflects a significant shift in how France views its relationship with Africa.
Following independence in the 1960s, France maintained strong economic, political, and security ties with many former colonies, leading to widespread perceptions that little had changed over the decades.
French presidents have traditionally held summits with African leaders either in France or in French-speaking African countries, but this is the first time the summit is hosted in an English-speaking African nation.
Gilles Yabi, a Senegal-based political analyst specializing in France-Africa relations, told the BBC's Newsday programme,
"There's a new generation of Africans who… want to turn the page on colonialism and post-colonial influence."
Kenya's Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi described the summit as
"an opportunity for Africa to start speaking as one".
He added that holding the summit in a non-French-speaking African country sends a significant message that engagements should not be based on official languages spoken in countries.
"Having this summit being held in a non-French-speaking African country on the continent, to me, is a very, very big message that we should not be looking at engagements on the basis of the official languages that are spoken in those countries,"Mudavadi told the BBC.
He described this as an "opportune moment" for Kenya and France to move beyond "more or less artificial" linguistic barriers that categorize countries as Anglophone, Francophone, or Lusophone, which hinder proper integration.
"Kenya has been a pivotal country on matters of diplomacy and also conventions,"Mudavadi explained, noting that the summit will address peace and security before focusing on economic partnerships between Africa and the world, including France.
Last week, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei similarly highlighted Kenya's diplomatic role, calling the country a "bridge-builder" in Africa.
He told the BBC that Kenya's relationship with France differs from that of West African countries due to its history as a former British colony.
Security and Military Presence in Africa
Military leaders who seized power in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—former French colonies—have expelled French troops who were assisting in combating Islamist insurgencies and have instead sought support from Russia.
Prior to the summit, Macron defended France's reduced military presence in Africa, stating that the withdrawal of French troops was not a humiliation but a logical response to circumstances.
"When our presence was no longer wanted after the coups, we left,"he said.
"I'm convinced that we must let these states and their leaders, even putschists, chart their own course."
None of the leaders from Burkina Faso, Mali, or Niger attended the summit.
Djibouti, located at the entrance to the Red Sea, now hosts France's last operational military base in Africa.
Changing Relationship and Economic Focus
Political analyst Yabi described hosting the summit in Kenya as an "illustration of changing dynamics" in France-Africa relations.
"It's not only a reaction of France to the deteriorating relationship with some countries in West Africa,"he told Newsday.
"It's also a trend that has been there for some time because France realises that it has to look for new markets, dynamic markets and looking beyond traditional former colonies of West and Central Africa."
While Kenya and France seek economic benefits from co-hosting the summit, Paris also aims to demonstrate its continued relevance on the continent amid growing influence from powers such as China, Russia, and Turkey.
Speaking at the University of Nairobi on Monday, Macron stated that Africa "needs investment to become more sovereign," emphasizing that the continent no longer desires European leaders to dictate its needs.
Throughout the summit, Macron reiterated that Africa "has its own agenda" and should not be viewed merely as a source of raw materials for foreign powers.
Similarly, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that African countries should benefit from their own resources.
"For too long, Africa's resources have been extracted, the value captured elsewhere,"Guterres said, calling for increased local processing, manufacturing, and industrialization.
During his speech on Tuesday, Guterres criticized the current global system as a
"global system designed without Africa and still largely operating without Africa."
He praised Africa for leading reforms in global finance, climate policy, and international governance.
"This is not a continent waiting for solutions,"he said.
"This is a continent producing them."
Guterres also condemned global lending systems, debt burdens, and international credit rating structures that unfairly disadvantage African economies.
Summit Atmosphere and Attendance
The summit included visits to various venues in Nairobi for speeches and events.
During one session on Monday, President Macron interrupted a speaker to request silence from the audience.
"There is a total lack of respect,"Macron said, urging those engaged in side conversations to continue them outside or in bilateral meeting rooms.
Some social media users criticized this as reminiscent of colonial lecturing, while others defended Macron's request.
More than 30 African leaders attended the summit, alongside Africa's wealthiest individual, Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote, other leading African industrialists, and representatives from major French companies.
"The world is becoming more brutal and more fragmented, hence why we need more international cooperation,"Arnaud Suquet, France's ambassador to Kenya, told Kenyan channel NTV on Friday.
"But, it is not as if France has just discovered Kenya yesterday,"he added, noting that France is already Kenya's fourth largest source of foreign investment.
French Influence in Kenya
French influence in Kenya is visible in retail, fashion, and food sectors. Carrefour supermarkets in Nairobi's affluent neighborhoods stock French cheeses, wines, cosmetics, and bakery products alongside local brands.
For many younger Kenyans, France is associated as much with consumer goods as with geopolitics, contrasting with sentiments in many former French colonies.
Beverly Ochieng, a senior analyst at Control Risks, observed that France is
"repositioning and softening its presence and reputation."
She noted that France is increasingly leveraging business, investment, and soft power rather than relying primarily on military influence to maintain its relevance in Africa.
"France is looking to leverage already recognisable commercial brands, cultural presence and its weight in the European Union to mobilise economic initiatives,"she explained.
Meanwhile, Kenya seeks investment in infrastructure, renewable energy, and technology. French companies are already involved in transport, retail, and energy projects in Kenya, and officials hope the summit will facilitate further investment.
Early discussions are underway regarding nuclear energy cooperation as Kenya aims to diversify its long-term energy strategy.
Last month, Nairobi approved a five-year renewable defence agreement with France, covering intelligence sharing, maritime security in the Indian Ocean, and disaster response.
Climate Change and Renewable Energy
On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Guterres highlighted that Africa contributes minimally to global emissions but suffers disproportionately from climate change impacts such as droughts, floods, and food insecurity.
He emphasized Africa's vast renewable energy potential, particularly solar power, while criticizing the insufficient investment in African clean energy projects.
Kenyan Foreign Minister Mudavadi stated that the two countries are discussing how to develop and utilize emerging sectors.
"This is the whole area of focus, and it is telling that it is called the Africa Forward Summit.
It's not about wanting to dig and look into the past."
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