French President Emmanuel Macron today joined Kenyan President William Ruto in Nairobi to co-host the Africa Forward Summit, as France seeks to redefine its relationship with Africa through deeper economic and strategic partnerships.

The summit, the first of its kind in an Anglophone African nation during Macron’s presidency, brings together more than 30 heads of state and over 1,000 business leaders and entrepreneurs. Discussions are centred on innovation, energy, digital technology and sustainable growth, with several agreements between Kenyan and French companies expected to be signed.

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, described the gathering as a significant moment for the continent, saying Africa’s innovation potential is increasingly being recognised on the global stage.

Agriculture also features prominently on the agenda, with Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe highlighting opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships between Kenyan and French firms.

Macron’s East Africa tour, which began in Egypt and concludes in Ethiopia, reflects France’s broader shift away from postcolonial influence towards cooperation based on shared interests. The move comes amid changing political dynamics across Africa, particularly in the Sahel region, where France’s influence has declined following deteriorating relations with several West African nations.

Against this backdrop, the Africa Forward Summit is being positioned as a platform to move beyond rhetoric and deliver practical outcomes through investment, entrepreneurship, cultural exchange and youth-driven development.