As France tries to reset relations with Africa, China's influence looms large
According to a South China Morning Post analysis, President Emmanuel Macron's Africa summit in Nairobi shows Paris trying to retire its old paternalist framing. China's infrastructure investments and trade footprint, however, limit France's room for manoeuvre in the region.
In an analysis by Stuart Lau and Echo Hui for the South China Morning Post, President Emmanuel Macron's summit in Nairobi brought together 22 African leaders, but the absence of a joint communiqué shows Paris is redesigning its general framework rather than restating it. Kenyan President William Ruto said the country was open to French energy and renewables packages.
China's annual trade with Africa exceeded $300 billion in 2024, against roughly $60 billion for France over the same period. Beijing's Belt and Road footprint continues to deepen with large-scale projects such as the Dakar port expansion in Senegal and the Bagamoyo terminal in Tanzania.
Africa Program director Oge Onubogu at the Wilson Center told the SCMP that African governments now refuse to treat the question as a binary 'China or France' choice and instead use both partners as strategic leverage. Paris's revised strategy emphasises co-financing with the French Development Agency (AFD) and the European Investment Bank.
More from Africa
Why are anti-migrant attacks increasing in South Africa?
An Al Jazeera analysis reports a rapid rise in attacks targeting migrants across South Africa in recent months. Officials and analysts cite economic strain, social-media disinformation and the influence of far-right and populist movements as combined drivers.
DRC health minister warns 'very high' Ebola lethality rate as toll hits 80
The health minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo warned that the lethality rate of an Ebola outbreak in the country's east is exceptionally high. The official death toll has reached 80, and local authorities flag a shortage of treatment-centre capacity.
Mali junta leader names himself defence minister after predecessor killed
Mali's military junta leader has assumed the role of defence minister after his predecessor, Sadio Camara, was killed in a major offensive by combined jihadist and separatist forces.