France pivots to English-speaking Africa with €23bn investment pledge at Nairobi summit

French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled a €23bn investment package during the Africa Forward summit in Nairobi, a move designed to reposition France as a key economic partner for English-speaking African nations. Announced at the Nairobi Convention Centre, the funding represents a significant departure from traditional diplomatic gatherings, which have historically been centred in Francophone territories. The package is structured to comprise €14bn from French entities and €9bn from African partners, with a specific focus on accelerating progress in energy transition, agriculture, and artificial intelligence.

This strategic pivot occurs against a backdrop of shifting geopolitical dynamics, as France attempts to strengthen ties with countries like Kenya following reported declines in its influence across former colonies. The summit aims to counterbalance the growing presence of other global powers, with Macron explicitly positioning Europe as a more reliable trade partner than China or the United States. By hosting the event in an English-speaking nation for the first time, Paris signals an intent to broaden its diplomatic and economic partnerships beyond its traditional sphere of influence.

President Macron emphasised that the new framework represents a partnership of equals, stating that the relationship is now entirely free of hang-ups. He challenged African business leaders to reciprocate by investing in France, arguing that mutual engagement underpins the future of the continent. The initiative targets the creation of 250,000 jobs across both France and Africa, aiming to move away from transactional aid models toward sustainable, mutually beneficial economic frameworks.

Kenyan President William Ruto welcomed the announcement, reinforcing the need to shift away from aid and loans toward genuine investment structures that leverage what Africa has to offer. The summit also saw a tangible commitment from the French shipping group CMA CGM, which pledged €700m to modernise the port terminal at Mombasa. This infrastructure investment underscores the practical application of the broader economic strategy, aiming to enhance trade connectivity in the region.

The announcement comes as France navigates a complex security landscape, with recent military withdrawals from the Sahel region altering its operational footprint. In advance of the summit, approximately 800 French soldiers arrived in Kenya on a navy ship, coinciding with a growing international military presence in the region. While Macron has called for improved governance over the seven decades since independence, the focus of the summit remains firmly on economic integration and the establishment of a new bilateral dynamic.