The summit in the Kenyan capital Nairobi is titled "Africa forward" and aims to advance the continent. Numerous African heads of state and government, along with around 5,000 delegates, are expected to attend. The focus will be on investments in economy, security, climate protection, health, and education.
Macron and William Ruto present themselves as a new power duo between Africa and Europe. Joint posters are ubiquitous in Nairobi. According to observers, France aims to shift away from its traditional focus on Francophone West African countries and instead cooperate with Anglophone nations such as Kenya, Africa, and Nigeria.
This summit is the first to take place in a country with a strong English-speaking influence – Kenya is a former British colony. Macron does not want to leave Africa to China, Russia, or investors from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. France aspires to become Africa's most important partner in Europe.
Compared to Germany, France is more economically proactive in Africa. Friedrich Merz visited Africa in November 2025 and April 2026, including attending the G20 summit in Africa. However, economic experts criticize that German companies are often too invisible in Africa and need more courage for investments.
The first Africa-France summit took place in Paris in 1973. Macron's new approach aims to facilitate cooperation in Anglophone countries without the burdens of a colonial past.
