Macron announces €23bn investment at Africa Forward Summit in Kenya

French President Emmanuel Macron announced €23 billion in investment commitments for Africa at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. The two-day summit, co-hosted by France and Kenya, brought together heads of state and senior officials from more than 30 African countries.

The summit marks a significant turning point in French Africa policy. For the first time, France staged such an event in an English-speaking African nation, underscoring France's strategic pivot toward Anglophone African partners. This reorientation comes against the backdrop of France's declining influence in traditionally Francophone West African countries.

Macron presented France as Africa's 'ethical partner' and promoted a 'partnership of equals.' This rhetoric aims to distance France from decades of 'Françafrique' policy - a system of economic, political and military influence over former French colonies that has been increasingly criticized as neocolonial.

The diplomatic shift occurs alongside France's military withdrawal from West Africa. After years of criticism from leaders and opposition parties in the region who described the French approach as condescending and heavy-handed, France was forced to withdraw most of its troops. This withdrawal is widely seen as a sign of France's waning influence on the continent.

Africa experts view Macron's engagement not merely as a response to recent setbacks, but as the continuation of a longer-term strategic project launched early in Macron's presidency. The French president has long been considered a strong believer in the importance of Africa as a partner for the future.

African leaders used the summit to advance their own priorities. They particularly pushed for credit reforms and easier access to financing that could help fund major investments and boost economic growth. These demands reflect African countries' aspirations to advance their economic development while becoming less dependent on traditional donor countries.

For Kenya as the host nation, the summit offers an opportunity to strengthen its position as a regional hub and forge new trade relationships. The East African country seeks to diversify its international partnerships and sees cooperation with France as opening new possibilities for trade and investment.

According to organizers, the Africa Forward Summit aims to showcase the best of Africa and channel resources to opportunities on the continent. The announced €23 billion in investment commitments spans various sectors and is intended to contribute to the continent's economic development.

The event also garnered media attention through a joint morning run between President Macron and Kenyan marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge. Such symbolic gestures underscore efforts to build a less formal, more partnership-oriented relationship between France and African countries.

The summit takes place amid broader geopolitical shifts in Africa, where traditional Western powers face increasing competition from China, Russia, and other emerging partners. African countries are increasingly assertive in choosing their international partnerships based on their own strategic interests rather than historical ties.

The success of Macron's new Africa strategy will be measured by whether the announced investments are actually implemented and whether it succeeds in building a more equitable partnership that serves the interests of both sides. Critics remain skeptical about whether France can truly shed its paternalistic approach and embrace genuine equality in its African relationships.

The summit's focus on economic partnerships and investment rather than security cooperation represents a notable shift from previous French engagements in Africa, which were often dominated by military interventions and security concerns.