France is undergoing a significant strategic pivot in Africa, moving away from its traditional military-centric “Françafrique” model toward a broader continental partnership focused on economic investment, innovation, and engagement with Anglophone nations.
The Strategic Pivot
The submit comes amid series of diplomatic and military setbacks in the Sahel region—including the expulsion of troops from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—Paris has effectively “reset” its relationship with the continent.
France is expanding its focus beyond former colonies in West Africa toward influential Anglophone economies like Kenya.
The new approach de-emphasizes permanent military bases in favor of cooperation in technology, education, climate action, and private-sector investment.
Held in Nairobi, this landmark event co-hosted by Presidents Emmanuel Macron and William Ruto marks the first time the forum has been hosted in an English-speaking nation. It brought together over 1,500 industry leaders to discuss innovation and green growth.
Between 2022 and 2025, France withdrew forces from multiple West African nations, leaving Djibouti as its primary remaining military hub.
Paris is actively seeking to reclaim market share and relevance as rivals like China, Russia, and Gulf states expand their influence.
Through initiatives like the Africa-France Impact Coalition, France is connecting 40 major economic actors with a combined turnover of over €100bn to drive industrial projects.
Macron aims to position France as an “equal partner,” moving past colonial legacies to focus on mutual respect and shared global challenges like energy transition.
France recently signed a 10-year defense agreement with Kenya, shifting military cooperation toward maritime security and counterterrorism in the Indian Ocean.
France is leveraging cultural diplomacy, recently opening new French secondary schools and universities in Morocco and Egypt to strengthen long-term institutional ties.
President Boakai Monday, May 10 arrived for the Africa Forward Summit, themed “Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth,”
Upon arrival, he held immediate high-level talks with Kenyan President William Ruto and Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara at State House, Nairobi, focusing on regional security, economic cooperation, and youth empowerment.
The summit gathers over 30 African heads of state and French President Emmanuel Macron to address economic transformation, green mobility, and a “reset” of France-Africa relations.
Governance at Home: While the President is away, Minister of Justice Oswald Natu Tweh is chairing the Cabinet in consultation with the Vice President.
Accompanying Delegation President Boakai is Sara Beysolow Nyanti: Minister of Foreign Affairs
Samuel Kofi Woods: National Security Advisor Alexander Nuetah: Minister of Agriculture
and Jerolinmek Piah: Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism
The Africa Forward Summit 2026 (a rebranded Africa–France Summit) is currently underway in Nairobi, Kenya, running from May 11 to May 12, 2026. This historic gathering marks the first time the summit has been held in an English-speaking African nation, signaling a major shift in French diplomacy toward broader continental partnerships.
