Thursday, May 21Thursday, May 21French President Emmanuel Macron co-hosted the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, alongside Kenyan President William Ruto, marking France’s first major diplomatic gathering in an English-speaking African nation. The summit, held on May 11–12, 2026, aimed to redefine France’s engagement with Africa amid strategic setbacks in the Sahel, including ruptures with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, and growing influence from Russia and China. Analysts described the event as a "demarcation point" for France, shifting focus beyond its traditional Francophone ties to broader continental partnerships .
During the summit, Macron announced a €23 billion investment in Africa, targeting energy transition, digital and AI development, the maritime economy, and agriculture. The funding reflects France’s push to reposition itself as a key economic partner for the continent, moving away from historical colonial associations . Macron emphasized Europe’s commitment to fostering "autonomy" for both continents, countering perceptions of neocolonialism .
The summit also highlighted France’s diplomatic pivot toward Anglophone Africa, with over 30 African heads of state in attendance. Experts noted this shift aligns with Macron’s long-term strategy to diversify France’s African partnerships, initiated early in his presidency . Macron’s participation included a high-profile interview with FRANCE 24, RFI, and TV5Monde, underscoring the summit’s significance . During the event, Macron drew attention for interrupting a speaker to demand silence from the audience .
> Background: [**Macrons 23B Africa Investment Signals Shift Beyond Francophone Ties
12 words neutral and captures the key themes investment strategic shift and broader engagement.**](livefromeurope.eu) — *10 hours ago*
Macron at Africa summit seeking allies and a foreign policy less tied to Frances colonial past French president reaches out to new allies after setbacks in relations with his countrys former colonies in west AfricaA French-African summit held every few years since 1973 is taking place in a non-francophone country for the first time on Tuesday as Emmanuel Macron tries to rebuild Frances role on the continent after setbacks in its former colonies.More than 30 heads of state and government are meeting in Kenyas capital, Nairobi, for this years iteration of the summit. Named Africa Forward, it is being seen by analysts as an attempt by France to court new allies. Continue reading...
theguardian · 9 days ago
Macron announces €23bn in investment for Africa at Nairobi summit
news.yahoo.com · 9 days ago
France woos Anglophone Africa at a summit in Kenya In tonights edition, French President Emmanuel Macron urges investment in Africa as he co-hosts an economic summit in Kenya. Also, we take a closer look at the cost of some of the deeply rooted misperceptions and clichés about Africa still clinging on in societies. And Kenyan conservationists are working hard to boost the number of the critically endangered Bongo antelope.
france24 · 9 days ago
⚡ NEWSMacron Hosts Africa Forward Summit in Kenya Amid Sahel SetbacksEmmanuel Macron co-hosts the Africa Forward Summit in Kenya, marking Frances first major diplomatic gathering in an English-speaking African nation. This move aims to rebalance engagement with the continent following strategic setbacks in the Sahel.📰 #EU #Geopolitics #GeoWire
mastodon bot · 9 days ago
Macron announces 23 bn euros of investment at Africa summit French President Emmanuel Macron announced 23 billion euros ($27 billion) of investment for Africa during a major summit on the future of the continent hosted by Kenya on Monday. 👉 Read more:
telegram bot · 9 days ago
Macron announces €23 billion investment in Africa at Kenya summit French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday announced €23 billion investment in Africa focused on energy transition, digital and AI, the maritime economy and agriculture. Macron was attending the two-day Africa Forward summit in Nairobi aimed at renewing Frances engagement with the continent. 👉 Read more:
telegram bot · 9 days ago
Kenya summit represents demarcation point: France wants to do business with African continent Nadia Massih is pleased to welcome Dr. Douglas Yates, Author, Political Scientist and Professor and at the American Graduate School of International Relations and Diplomacy. President Emmanuel Macron is co-hosting the Africa Forward Summit alongside Kenyan President William Ruto. entering what Dr. Yates describes as a demarcation point. After years of mounting hostility in West Africa, military ruptures in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, and the growing presence of Russia and China across the continent, Paris is seeking to redefine its place beyond the historic confines of Françafrique.
france24 · 9 days ago
Exclusive: Emmanuel Macron interview on FRANCE 24, Tuesday May 12 at 9pm At the conclusion of the Africa Forward Summit, French President Emmanuel Macron will answer questions from FRANCE 24, RFI and TV5Monde journalists in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. Watch the interview on FRANCE 24 on Tuesday, May 12, at 9pm (Paris time).
france24 · 9 days ago
Macron always been a strong believer in the importance of Africa as a partner for the future Yinka Oyetade is pleased to welcome Paul Melly, Consulting Fellow of the Africa Programme, Chatham House. Emmanuel Macron is co-hosting the Africa Forward Summit in Kenya, the first time France has staged such a gathering in an English-speaking African nation. this comes on the heels of Frances unprecedented strategic setbacks across the Sahel. Melly argues that Frances eastward diplomatic turn is not merely an attempt to bounce back after recent reversals, but the continuation of a longer strategic project launched early in Macrons presidency: one designed to rebalance in geographical terms Frances engagement with the entire continent.
france24 · 9 days ago
Frances President Emmanuel Macron defends Europe in Africa and urges investment Macron, leading the two-day summit aimed at renewing Frances engagement with Africa, said Europe was instead promoting a strategy of autonomy for both continents.
euronews · 9 days ago
I will make an order: Macron asks audience to leave if they want to chat during Nairobi summit French President Emmanuel Macron interrupted a speaker at the Africa Forward summit in Nairobi to call for silence from a noisy audience, telling attendees to leave the room if they wanted to continue chatting during the speeches.
euronews · 9 days ago
🟠 UPDATEMacron Interrupts Speaker in KenyaMacron announced a €23 billion investment in Africa focused on energy transition, digital/AI, maritime economy, and agriculture at the Africa Forward summit in Nairobi.📰 #EU #Geopolitics #GeoWire
mastodon bot · 9 days ago
Lula pushes for EU-Mercosur deal as Macron holds firm in Paris #EU #Europe #European
mastodon bot · 12 months ago
Activists charged after stealing Macron wax figure for anti-Russia protests in Paris Two activists who stole a wax figure portraying French President Emmanuel Macron from a central Paris museum to stage a series of anti-Russia protests have been charged with theft. Before the pair was caught, and the €40,000 figure was handed over to police, they used it in protests outside the Russian embassy and French electricity company EDF.
france24 · 12 months ago
Key international takeways of Lula and Macrons joint press conference At the joint press conference in Paris on June 5, 2024, Presidents Lula and Macron discussed key international issues, including the war in Ukraine, where Lula is trying to push for peace, as Clovis Casali explains. The leaders also touched on cooperation around the Mercosur trade agreement.
france24 · 12 months ago
REPLAY: Brazils Lula and Frances Macron joint press conference in Paris Watch the joint press conference of Presidents Lula and Macron in Paris during the Brazilian presidents state visit on Thursday, June 5, 2024.
france24 · 12 months ago
Artist Frans Krajcberg dived into Brazilian nature and that saved his life As France welcomes Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to Paris for a state visit, France is also celebrating a whole year of cultural exchanges with Brazil. One of the institutions taking part is a museum in Paris dedicated to one of Brazils best-known artists, the late Frans Krajcberg, who spent his life working between the two countries.
france24 · 12 months ago
Brazils Lula Urges Macron to Back EU-Mercosur Trade Deal - U.S. News & World Report
googlenews · 12 months ago
Brazils Lula in state visit to France to talk about conflicts, climate and trade Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a powerful voice for the countries of the Global South, was welcomed by Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace for a state visit, during which issues such as climate, Donald Trumps trade war, and the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza will be discussed. Clovis Casali, reporting live from the Élysée, tells us more.
france24 · 12 months ago
Brazils Lula urges Macron to open your heart to EU-Mercosur trade deal Speaking during his first state visit to France Thursday, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva urged his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron to back an EU trade deal with four Latin American countries. French farmers have warned that the EU-Mercosur deal could be devastating for the countrys domestic agriculture industry.
france24 · 12 months ago
🔴 Watch live: EU-Mercosur deal would be best response to current uncertainties, Lula tells Macron Speaking during his first state visit to France Thursday, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva urged his French counterpart to back the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. French farmers have warned that the deal could be devastating for the countrys domestic agriculture industry. Watch their joint press conference live on FRANCE 24.
france24 · 12 months ago
🔴 Watch live: Macron welcomes Brazils Lula to Élysée Palace on first state visit Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva meets with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron during his first state visit to France on Thursday, with the two men expected to discuss the EU-Mercosur trade agreement that French farmers have warned could be devastating for the countrys domestic industry.
france24 · 12 months ago
Brazils President Lula kicks off state visit to France as farmers urge Macron to block trade deal Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva met with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron during his first state visit to France on Thursday, with the two men expected to discuss the EU-Mercosur trade agreement that French farmers have warned could be devastating for the countrys domestic industry.
france24 · 12 months ago