Dr. Ahmed Askar‏‏

Together with Kenya, France is preparing to host a two-day summit titled "Africa Forward: Africa–France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth," which kicks off in Nairobi on May 11, 2026. The summit, which takes place under the auspices of the African Union, is expected to attract broad participation, bringing together between 1,500 and 2,000 government officials, CEOs, and global business leaders.The summit is particularly significant as it marks the first event of its kind to be hosted and co-chaired by an English-speaking African country alongside France. It is also being framed as a strategic platform aimed at launching a new phase in Africa–France cooperation, reflecting Paris’s efforts to expand its African partnerships beyond the traditional Francophone sphere of influence commonly associated with "Françafrique."This initiative forms part of a broader French strategy aimed at redefining relations with the continent following the clear decline in France’s standing across Africa over the past six years.Emerging Signs of RapprochementSeveral indicators point to renewed French engagement in Africa as Paris seeks to rebuild its influence across the continent. The most notable of these indicators include the following:1. A Shift in French Political Discourse Toward Africa: Paris increasingly recognizes the need to redefine Africa–France relations and move beyond outdated preconceptions that have at times hindered France’s reach on the continent.Current French efforts are centered on promoting a new relationship with Africa based on mutual respect and shared opportunities. This narrative has become a central theme in official French messaging surrounding the upcoming summit, which is being presented as a turning point in Africa–France relations.2. Updating France’s Political Strategy Toward Africa: France began revising its political strategy toward Africa in 2026, reassessing the foundations of its partnerships with African states in line with the <a href="https://afrinz.ru/en/2025/07/france-to-update-africa-strategy-in-2026/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">French National Strategic Review through 2030</a>, published by the General Secretariat for Defence and National Security.The document emphasized the need to devote greater attention to French interests and associated threats across Africa. According to the review, France intends to evaluate what African countries need from their external partnerships and formulate a new policy framework aligned with African priorities. This approach also includes strengthening multilateral security initiatives and enhancing defense cooperation with African states.3. French Efforts to Strengthen Political Relations with African States: As part of its efforts to deepen political relations across Africa, Paris has focused on two parallel tracks.The first involves increasing high-level diplomatic exchanges. Senior-level visits between French and African officials have continued with countries including Senegal, the Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Nigeria, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, and Rwanda.This approach reflects France’s broader effort to move away from political conditionality and the associated pressures that have historically had negative repercussions on bilateral relations.The second track involves <a href="https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/has-the-sun-finally-set-on-francafrique/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">President Emmanuel Macron’s</a> appointment of Jean-Marie Bockel as Special Envoy to Africa in order to conduct consultations and dialogue with African partners.Notably, recent French diplomatic initiatives have received relatively positive responses in several African states. France’s popularity has reportedly increased in Rwanda, while diplomatic relations with certain West African countries appear to have become more stable and cooperative.In particular, relations have improved with Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, where officials in both countries have affirmed that cooperation with Paris will continue in areas of shared interest, including security and trade, despite the withdrawal of permanent French military forces from their territories.4. Expanding Cooperation Between France and Kenya: Paris has also sought to reposition itself geopolitically in other strategically important regions of Africa, particularly among English-speaking East African countries, which France increasingly views as a new strategic frontier following the erosion of its influence in the Sahel.This shift has been reflected in the growing rapprochement between France and Kenya. The two countries signed a joint <a href="https://peoplesdispatch.org/2026/04/21/the-african-masses-reject-francafrique-in-all-its-forms-kenyan-left-mobilizes-against-france-africa-summit/#:~:text=The%20France%E2%80%93Africa%20Summit%20is,challenge%20its%20agenda%20and%20implications.&amp;text=From%20May%2011%E2%80%9312%2C%202026,France%20on%20the%20African%20continent" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">defense and security cooperation agreement</a> defining the framework and legal status of the French military presence in Kenya, amid speculation that approximately 800 French soldiers had already arrived in Nairobi before the agreement’s formal ratification.French investments in Kenya have also expanded significantly across strategic sectors such as infrastructure, energy, and services. More than 140 French companies currently operate in the country, while French investment in Kenya reached <a href="https://africa.com/kenya-and-france-pave-the-way-for-future-oriented-partnerships-for-innovation-and-growth-ahead-of-the-africa-forward-summit-2026/#:~:text=On%20the%20line%20up%20are,in%20which%20Kenya%20will%20participate.&amp;text=The%20post%20Kenya%20and%20France,first%20on%20African%20Media%20Agency" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">approximately €1.8 billion</a> over the past decade, making France the fourth-largest source of foreign direct investment in Kenya.5. Efforts to Repair France’s Image Within Africa: As part of broader efforts to rebuild its standing and improve its image across Africa, France appears to be adopting more flexible positions on issues where it had previously maintained a cautious stance.In August 2024, France publicly honored African soldiers who fought for the liberation of France during the Nazi occupation. President Emmanuel Macron also stated during a meeting with Cameroonian President Paul Biya that Africa’s contribution to France "cannot be ignored."Regarding the issue of reparations linked to the transatlantic slave trade, Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Ablakwa announced—following President John Mahama’s visit to Paris on April 8, 2026—that France had expressed willingness to cooperate on the matter.Unofficial reports also suggested that Macron supported the initiative, despite the absence of a formal French announcement. This would represent a notable shift in France’s position, particularly after <a href="https://www.lemonde.fr/en/le-monde-africa/article/2026/04/18/france-opens-the-sensitive-issue-of-slavery-reparations_6752562_124.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Paris abstained</a> from voting on the March 25, 2026 United Nations resolution describing the transatlantic slave trade as one of the gravest crimes against humanity.In a related development, the French National Assembly approved framework legislation on April 13, 2026, concerning the restitution of African cultural artifacts looted during the colonial period.France also reaffirmed in February 2026 its support for the <a href="https://gca.org/news/france-reaffirms-support-to-africas-flagship-climate-adaptation-program-aaap-2-0/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Africa-led Accelerated Climate Adaptation Program</a>. French Minister for Ecological Transition Monique Barbut stated that Paris stands alongside Africa in transforming the initiative into concrete action.6. A Shift in France’s Military and Security Policy in Africa: France is currently reassessing its military and security strategy in Africa, as can be seen most clearly in its transition away from reliance on permanent military bases toward a model focused on partnerships, joint military training, intelligence sharing, and capacity building with African states.This shift effectively marks the end of large-scale permanent French troop deployments across Africa, with the exception of the longstanding French base in Djibouti. The policy adjustment is closely linked to the geopolitical transformations that have reshaped the Sahel since 2020 and their significant impact on French influence in the region.Against this backdrop, Paris launched a new military training program in Gabon in March 2026 focused on environmental protection and security. The initiative highlights emerging security threats such as illegal mining, deforestation, and the protection of fragile ecosystems.The French military has also begun training units from several African countries, including Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Chad, and Gabon.7. France’s Efforts to Expand Its Economic Presence in Africa: The French government is seeking to adopt a new economic doctrine centered on encouraging entrepreneurs to reinvest in Africa, with a stronger emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises and more balanced partnerships.In this context, Paris launched the "<a href="https://african.business/2026/03/trade-investment/tony-elumelu-to-spearhead-frances-new-african-initiative" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Africa–France Impact Alliance</a>" in March 2026, a new platform bringing together French and African entrepreneurs with the objective of strengthening private-sector cooperation between both sides. The initiative is chaired by Nigerian billionaire Tony Elumelu.Paris also views the upcoming <a href="https://www.ecofinagency.com/news/1201-51838-africa-france-relations-a-strategic-turning-point-expected-at-the-nairobi-summit-in-may-2026" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Africa–France summit</a> in Nairobi as the beginning of a new era and a test case for a more pragmatic and multipolar model of economic diplomacy. France is seeking to build broader international coalitions involving partners such as Germany and India in order to expand economic cooperation with African states.At the same time, France hopes to capitalize on Africa’s most dynamic economic sectors through strategic initiatives aimed at deepening <a href="https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2026/03/22/africa-forward-summit-france-strengthening-africas-development-agenda/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">economic cooperation</a> and strengthening mutually beneficial partnerships.Structural ChallengesDespite France’s renewed efforts to reposition itself across Africa, Paris is likely to face a number of structural challenges that could hinder its broader strategic objective of rebuilding influence on the continent. The most significant of these challenges include the following:1. The Growing Russian Challenge in Africa: France’s 2030 National Strategic Review identifies Russia as the principal threat to French national security, citing the ongoing war in Ukraine and Russia’s partnerships with Iran and China, as well as its expanding activities across Africa.Paris increasingly views Moscow as exploiting instability across Africa to advance its strategic interests, where it undermines both French and broader European influence on the continent by positioning itself as an alternative security and political partner.In this context, the head of French intelligence warned African partners in July 2025 about what he described as Russian efforts aimed at "destabilization," while also expressing concern over the growing presence of Russian media outlets across Africa.2. The Expansion of Chinese Influence Across Africa: Paris is also increasingly concerned about China’s growing influence in Africa, particularly following Beijing’s recent advances in several Francophone African states.Senegal, for example, is viewed by China as a strategic gateway to West Africa. At the same time, Beijing has expanded its security relationships with countries across the Sahel and West Africa in an effort to strengthen its regional influence.This trend was reflected in China’s decision to appoint its first military attaché to Niger, a move likely to add to the growing pressure on France amid escalating international competition across what Paris traditionally viewed as its sphere of influence.3. Shifting African Public Sentiment Against France: France continues to face growing anti-French sentiment and political resistance across Africa, trends that became increasingly visible after 2020, when countries such as Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso witnessed demonstrations opposing the French military presence.The situation was further aggravated by statements made by President Emmanuel Macron in 2025 suggesting that some African countries "owed their sovereignty to France" because of French military interventions aimed at preventing coups and containing insurgencies.Those remarks triggered widespread criticism across African societies and deepened opposition to any future French presence on the continent.Some African officials have even accused France—albeit indirectly—of contributing to instability and supporting terrorism in parts of the Sahel. As a result, many observers now view recent French moves as part of a broader "imperial repositioning" strategy across Africa.4. Escalating Tensions Between France and Sahel States: Ongoing tensions between France and the Alliance of Sahel States could further obstruct French efforts to rebuild influence in the Sahel and West Africa.In particular, relations were further strained after several French nationals were detained by authorities in Niger and Burkina Faso and accused of being intelligence operatives conducting espionage on behalf of France.5. The Expanding Threat of Terrorist Organizations in the Sahel: Terrorism remains a central concern for France in Africa and continues to threaten French interests across several strategic regions, particularly the Sahel and West Africa.This challenge is compounded by the hostility of extremist organizations toward any form of French military presence in the region, thereby complicating Paris’s efforts to sustain security partnerships or maintain influence through military cooperation frameworks.ConclusionOverall, France appears to have moved beyond the immediate fallout of the geopolitical turmoil that reshaped the Sahel after 2020 and is now actively seeking to rebuild its strategic position across Africa.The upcoming Nairobi summit is likely to provide an important opportunity to recalibrate Africa–France relations. Its success, however, will depend on Paris’s ability to develop a genuinely reciprocal framework capable of delivering strategic and developmental gains for African partners without reverting to older patterns of political interference.

How France Is Attempting a Strategic Reset in Africa?