France's Macron Pledges $27 Billion Investment Package for Africa at Kenya Summit

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced a 27-billion-dollar investment package for Africa during a multi-country summit held in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, Al Jazeera reported. The pledge is structured around three pillars: infrastructure and energy projects, supply of critical minerals required for the European green transition, and joint financing platforms for African small and medium enterprises. Heads of state from Kenya, Senegal, Ivory Coast and several other African countries attended the summit.

The announcement is the centrepiece of a French push to reposition Paris as a long-term economic partner on the continent at a moment when Russia, China, the United States, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey have all expanded their presence. Macron acknowledged that French influence has receded in parts of West Africa following coups and the withdrawal of French troops from Sahel countries. He told African leaders France was ready to enter into what he described as more equal partnerships.

Kenyan President William Ruto, who hosted the summit, welcomed the package and called for faster disbursement and clearer rules on technology transfer. African civil-society representatives questioned whether the financing would arrive as new commitments or repackage existing programmes. Detailed project lists are expected to be published over the coming weeks by the French foreign ministry.