France is pushing for a fresh start in its relationship with Africa. President Emmanuel Macron has called for equal partnerships based on co-investment rather than old aid models, as Paris tries to rebuild ties on the continent.

The message came during the Africa Forward Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya, on May 11–12, 2026. The summit, co-hosted by France and Kenya, brought together over 30 African heads of state and business leaders. It is the first time France has held such a major Africa event in an English-speaking African country.

Macron announced €23 billion (about $27 billion) in new investments for Africa. These funds will target key sectors including energy transition, digital technology, artificial intelligence, agriculture, and the maritime economy. French officials say the investments will create around 250,000 jobs across the continent.

Speaking at the summit, Macron stressed that the era of one-sided aid is over. He called for “sovereign equality” and partnerships built on mutual respect and shared interests. The French leader acknowledged past mistakes and said both sides must work together on common challenges like security, climate change, and economic growth.

For many African countries, this new approach is welcome if it brings real investment and respects their sovereignty. Leaders at the summit welcomed the focus on private sector-driven projects instead of traditional government aid. However, some critics remain cautious, pointing to France’s historical influence in West and Central Africa and recent tensions in the Sahel region.

The summit reflects France’s effort to expand beyond its traditional Francophone partners into English-speaking and fast-growing economies like Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. Analysts say this shift is driven by growing competition from other global powers on the continent.

 As the two-day summit ended, both African and French officials described it as a step towards more balanced cooperation. Whether this leads to stronger, more equal ties will depend on how the announced investments are implemented in the coming months.