Macron Announces $27 Billion in Investments at Africa Forward Summit in Kenya

" The two-day event, co-hosted by France and Kenya, is France's first major summit of its kind in an English-speaking African country. Macron said 14 billion euros would come from French private and public funds while 9 billion euros would come from African sources, targeting energy transition, agriculture and artificial intelligence.

The French leader told heads of state and business executives at the convention centre that both sides should invest in each other's markets. "We are not simply here to come and invest on the African continent alongside you – we need great African business leaders to come and invest in France," he said.

"And that too is what underpins this relationship, now entirely free of hang-ups," Macron added. The investments are projected to generate 250,000 jobs in France and across Africa.

The summit occurs as France completes military withdrawals from several West African nations and seeks to broaden engagement beyond its traditional Francophone partners. Kenyan President William Ruto, who hosted the event, said relations should focus on investment rather than aid and loans.

Macron has expanded France's outreach to Anglophone economies in recent years. Business leaders in attendance included Africa's richest man and executives from major French firms active in energy and shipping. France aims to position itself as a provider of technical expertise, education, culture and access to European markets while African governments seek to diversify partnerships amid competition from other global powers.

Ahead of the summit, the French parliament passed a law to accelerate the return of African cultural artefacts looted during the colonial period. " In an interview before the event, Macron said colonialism could no longer be blamed for all of Africa's challenges.

He called on African leaders to improve governance in the seven decades since independence. At a youth forum held at the University of Nairobi, Macron interrupted proceedings to rebuke audience members for disrupting a speaker. The incident occurred during discussions as part of the broader summit.

Kenya has hosted a growing international military presence even as several Sahel nations have expelled foreign forces. About 800 French soldiers arrived in Kenya a month before the summit aboard a navy ship. The French president views Africa as a single strategic space rather than separate spheres of influence.

The summit focused on forward-looking sectors such as renewable energy, infrastructure, artificial intelligence and trade instead of traditional security partnerships. " — Kenyan President William Ruto (Al Jazeera, 12 May 2026) France passed a new restitution law shortly before the summit to speed the return of looted artefacts after years of pressure from African nations.

The measure reflects one element of the evolving relationship as both sides seek pragmatic cooperation. The gathering highlighted African countries' transactional approach to global partners, weighing offers of investment, technology and market access rather than historical ties alone.