France Co-Hosts Africa Forward Summit With Kenya in Nairobi

French President Emmanuel Macron is co-hosting the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi with Kenyan leaders. The two-day event began on Monday and brings together more than 30 African heads of state along with business leaders including Nigeria's Aliko Dangote.

Macron announced investments worth $27 billion in areas including energy transition, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, the maritime economy and agriculture. The investments are expected to create 250,000 jobs in Africa and in France. Macron told the audience at Nairobi's convention centre that African business leaders should also invest in France.

"Africa is succeeding. It's the youngest continent in the world… and needs investment to become more self-reliant," he said. The summit is the first of its kind to be held in English-speaking Kenya since France began such meetings in the 1970s. It aims to broaden Paris's partnerships on the continent.

Kenya's Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi described the location as a signal that engagements should not be based on official languages spoken in African countries. Mudavadi called the summit an opportunity for Africa to begin speaking as one. He said it was an opportune moment to break away from linguistic barriers that he described as artificial.

Kenya's government is seeking investment in infrastructure, renewable energy and technology.

The gathering reflects a change in how France approaches its relationships with African nations. For many years after independence in the 1960s, France maintained close economic, political and security ties with its former colonies. French presidents previously held regular summits with African leaders either in France or in French-speaking African countries.

Political analyst Gilles Yabi told the BBC that a new generation of Africans wants to turn the page on colonialism and post-colonial influence. Yabi described the choice of Kenya as an illustration of changing dynamics. He said France is seeking new markets beyond its traditional partners in West and Central Africa.

Macron defended France's reduced military presence in Africa ahead of the summit. He said the departure of French troops from countries where they were no longer wanted after coups was a logical response. None of the leaders from Burkina Faso, Mali or Niger are attending the event.

France maintains its last remaining operational military base in Africa in Djibouti. Macron stated that France no longer wants to view Africa as a private preserve where business leaders have guaranteed contracts simply because of language ties. He spoke at the University of Nairobi about the need for African countries to become more sovereign.

France is already Kenya's fourth-largest source of foreign investment. French companies have a visible commercial presence in Nairobi through retailers such as Carrefour. Kenyan officials described the country as a bridge-builder in Africa with a diplomatic history not shaped by the same colonial relationship that exists between France and many West African nations.

He noted that France had not just discovered Kenya. The summit covers peace and security as well as economic partnerships between Africa and the rest of the world. During one session Macron interrupted a speaker to ask the audience for silence, citing a lack of respect.

The incident drew mixed reactions on social media. More than 30 African leaders, top industrialists and representatives from major French firms are participating in the meetings.