During his visit to Kenya, Emmanuel Macron concluded French investment agreements exceeding one billion euros, marking a turning point in Franco-African economic relations. This announcement came at the “Africa Forward” summit held in Nairobi, which focused on trade partnerships.

Context of the Visit

The French president arrived in Kenya on Sunday, an English-speaking country chosen as the emblem of a “renewed relationship” with Africa. The summit brought together more than twenty African heads of state and government with executives from French companies such as CMA CGM, TotalEnergies, and Danone. Investment pledges of several billion euros were expected.

Details of the Investments

On Sunday, CMA CGM signed a strategic agreement worth 700 million euros to develop logistics and transport infrastructure in Kenya. These commitments come on top of other contracts in the transport and energy sectors, bringing the total to over one billion euros.

This type of agreement is reminiscent of previous visits, such as the 2019 visit when two billion euros worth of contracts were signed, including a 1.6 billion euro highway project awarded to Vinci.

Geopolitical and economic stakes

This visit concludes a decade of tension in Franco-African relations, particularly in the Sahel, and aims to strengthen the French presence in East Africa. Kenya, a regional economic hub, benefits from French exports boosted by these landmark deals.

For France, these investments consolidate strategic sectors such as logistics and energy, in the face of Chinese and American competition.

Prospects for Africa

Kenya reaps major benefits from these infrastructure funds, fostering economic growth and regional integration. This illustrates a more business-oriented French diplomacy, promising jobs and technology transfers.