Macron Courts African Partners at Nairobi Summit

More than 30 African leaders met French President Emmanuel Macron in Kenya on Monday for the Africa Forward Summit, as Paris sought to strike new deals and strengthen partnerships amid waning influence in some of its former colonies.

It was the first time the summit was held in an English-speaking country, following a series of setbacks for France in West Africa, where several Francophone leaders have severed both security and trade ties with the former colonial power.

Macron declared that Africa and France were equal partners with common goals, and announced the mobilization of €23bn (around $25bn) in investment, with €14bn coming from French companies and €9bn from African partners.

French shipping company CMA CGM announced an investment of €700m to modernize the terminal at the Kenyan port of Mombasa. Further investments are expected in clean energy, artificial intelligence and other sectors.

Kenya is using the summit to attract French investors and promote discussion on a fairer global financial system for debt-ridden African countries.

(reuters, bak)