By Senior Editor, China Africa News
Nairobi, 11 May,2026 — French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto on Monday opened the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi with calls for a new era of economic cooperation, investment and reform of the global financial system.
The two-day summit, bringing together more than 30 African heads of state alongside business leaders and financial institutions, is the first France-Africa summit of its scale to be hosted in an English-speaking African country.
Macron said the summit reflects France’s intention to redefine its relationship with African countries after years of political and military tensions in parts of West Africa.
According to Reuters, Macron said France wanted partnerships “built on equal footing” and stressed the need for Africa and Europe to strengthen strategic autonomy in areas such as technology and artificial intelligence.
Speaking ahead of the summit, Ruto described the gathering as an opportunity to deepen cooperation between Africa and Europe while pushing for reforms to international financial systems that African leaders say unfairly disadvantage the continent.
A key focus of discussions on the opening day centered on how African economies are assessed by international credit agencies, with several leaders arguing that African countries are routinely classified as high-risk destinations despite strong economic potential.
Kenyan Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said leaders at the summit aim to advance conversations on “making the global financial system fairer to heavily indebted African countries.”
The summit has already generated major investment announcements.
French shipping and logistics giant CMA CGM announced plans for an $823 million investment linked to Kenya’s port and logistics infrastructure, while discussions are also focusing on renewable energy, artificial intelligence, transport and agriculture.
France and Kenya additionally signed 11 bilateral agreements covering sectors including nuclear energy, infrastructure, transport and agriculture.
Analysts say the Nairobi summit represents a symbolic diplomatic shift for Paris as it seeks to strengthen relations beyond its traditional Francophone partners.
Le Monde reported that Macron is using the summit to reposition France as “a more equal partner rather than a dominant player in Africa” following setbacks in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.
The summit continues Tuesday with plenary sessions expected to culminate in the adoption of a Nairobi Declaration focused on trade, industrialization, climate financing, digital technology and reform of international financial institutions.
