politics
France Announces €14 Billion in Investment Pledges for Africa at Nairobi Summit Co-Hosted With Kenya
The Africa Forward Summit 2026, co-hosted by France and Kenya, drew around 30 heads of state and several thousand business leaders to Nairobi. French officials hailed renewed ties with the continent while calling for dialogue with Rwanda and DR Congo. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described Russia's contribution to Africa's development as zero.
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France announced €14 billion in investment pledges for Africa at the Africa Forward Summit 2026, which concluded on May 13, 2026 in Nairobi. The summit was co-hosted by France and Kenya and took place on May 11 and 12, 2026. Around 30 heads of state and government attended alongside several thousand business leaders.
In an interview with FRANCE 24, RFI and TV5Monde, French President Emmanuel Macron called for dialogue with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Macron stated: “If now everyone is rushing to isolate Rwanda simply because the Americans have done so, there is little chance of persuading Rwanda to adopt a cooperative policy.”
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told Le Monde the summit was a success and highlighted renewed ties between Africa and France. ” Barrot noted that trade and investment between France and Africa far surpass Moscow’s involvement on the continent.
The minister spoke to Le Monde on June 30, 2025, ahead of the Nairobi gathering.
The two-day event occurred as Paris has faced ruptures with Sahel countries and rising anti-French sentiment in French-speaking Africa in recent years. The French government has sought to demonstrate the strength of its political and economic ties with the continent.
