French President Emmanuel Macron announced a significant new investment in Africa during the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, co-hosted with Kenya. This marks a shift in France’s relationship with African nations, focusing on mutual respect and economic cooperation rather than colonial-era dynamics. Macron revealed that investments totaling €23 billion ($27 billion) will target sectors like energy, artificial intelligence, and agriculture, with €14 billion coming from French companies and €9 billion from African firms.
Kenyan President William Ruto emphasized “sovereign equality” and called for partnerships based on mutual benefit, rather than aid or exploitation. The summit comes amid rising tensions between France and its former colonies, particularly in West Africa, where France has begun withdrawing troops following criticism of its colonial policies.
Macron affirmed France’s respect for Africa’s independence, stating, “The days of providing aid are over,” and promoting joint investments. He hosted the summit in Africa to demonstrate commitment to equality.
Experts highlighted France’s need to rebalance its influence as other nations, such as China and Gulf countries, increasingly invest in Africa. The summit concluded with a joint declaration from 30 participating countries, committing to cooperation in various sectors. Nevertheless, questions remain about whether France can truly move away from historical patterns of exploitation.
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