France Shifts From Military to Economic Ties With African at Kenya Summit

Accused of neo-colonial meddling in several African countries where it has traditionally maintained close ties, France is now trying to reshape its relationship with Africa by co-hosting a major summit in English-speaking Kenya for the first time.

The Africa Forward Summit opened in Nairobi on Tuesday, bringing together more than 30 African leaders, top business executives and international officials. French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto are leading the two-day event, which is focused on investment, trade, security, climate change and Africa’s role in global affairs.

The summit is seen as an important step for France as it faces growing criticism and declining influence in some African countries, especially in West Africa. For decades after independence in the 1960s, France kept strong political, military and economic ties with many of its former colonies. Critics often accused Paris of continuing to interfere in African affairs even after colonial rule ended.

During the summit, Macron repeatedly stressed that France now wants partnerships based on equality and shared opportunities rather than dominance.

“Africa is succeeding. It’s the youngest continent in the world… and needs investment to become more self-reliant,” Macron said.

To support this vision, Macron announced investments worth $27bn across Africa. The funds will go into sectors such as energy transition, agriculture, digital technology, artificial intelligence and the maritime economy. According to him, the investments are expected to create around 250,000 jobs in both Africa and France.

Macron also encouraged African businesses to invest in France.

“We are not simply here to come and invest on the African continent alongside you – we need the great African business leaders to come and invest in France,” he said.

President Ruto supported the idea of stronger cooperation and said Africa should help shape the future global system instead of remaining on the sidelines.

The summit is taking place at a time when France’s military influence in Africa is shrinking. In recent years, military governments in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger expelled French troops who had been helping to fight Islamist insurgents. The three countries later turned to Russia for military support.

Responding to concerns about France’s reduced military presence, Macron defended the withdrawals.

“When our presence was no longer wanted after the coups, we left,” he explained. “I’m convinced that we must let these states and their leaders, even putschists, chart their own course.”

None of the leaders from Burkina Faso, Mali or Niger attended the summit.

Senegalese political analyst Gilles Yabi said the meeting in Kenya reflects changing relations between Africa and France.

“There’s a new generation of Africans who… want to turn the page on colonialism and post-colonial influence,” he said.

Kenya’s Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi also described the summit as a chance for African countries to unite beyond colonial language divisions.

“Having this summit being held in a non-French-speaking African country on the continent, to me, is a very, very big message that we should not be looking at engagements on the basis of the official languages that are spoken in those countries,” he said.

Meanwhile, António Guterres used the summit to call for a fairer global system that benefits Africa more directly.

“For too long, Africa’s resources have been extracted, the value captured elsewhere,” Guterres said.

He added that Africa should no longer be seen as a continent waiting for help but one creating solutions to global challenges.

The summit has also highlighted climate change, renewable energy and economic cooperation. Kenya hopes the gathering will attract more foreign investment into infrastructure, clean energy and technology projects.

Analysts say France is now trying to rebuild trust and maintain its relevance in Africa through business, trade and diplomacy instead of relying mainly on military influence.

Source: BBC