politics
Macron Announces $27 Billion in Investments at Africa Forward Summit in Kenya
French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled $27 billion in investments for energy, AI and agriculture at the Africa Forward Summit co-hosted by Kenya. The announcement came as both leaders stressed sovereign equality and an end to traditional aid models amid France's military withdrawals from several African nations.
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French President Emmanuel Macron announced $27 billion in investments across Africa on Tuesday at the Africa Forward Summit co-hosted by Kenyan President William Ruto in Nairobi. The pledges, which include $5 billion from African entities, target sectors including energy, artificial intelligence and agriculture.
Ruto referred to sovereignty eight times in his speech on the summit's final day. The summit is set to close with a declaration expected to be signed by all 30 heads of state and government present.
In an interview with FRANCE 24, RFI and TV5Monde, Macron described a new model of partnership between France and African nations based on a shared agenda. “The days of offering assistance are behind us,” Macron said. “I’d like to focus on co-investment.” He added that Paris will be respectful of each African country's independence.
Macron told journalists the summit marks a financial shift in relationships between France and African countries. Ruto reiterated that the days of European dependency were over for Africa in favor of mutual respect between cooperating nations.
