France seeks to strengthen relations with Africa

France is seeking to rebuild and strengthen its partnerships with African nations as it reassesses its strategy on the continent following strained relations with several West African countries, analysts said.

For the first time, France hosted the Africa Forward Summit in an English-speaking country, a move experts described as a strategic attempt to regain influence in Africa.

The two-day summit in Kenya's capital Nairobi from Monday to Tuesday drew participation from business leaders and some 30 heads of state from Africa, with France stressing "equal partnerships" with Africa, and announcing investments worth $27 billion for the continent.

The shift comes amid France's deteriorating ties with parts of West Africa, driven by rising anti-French sentiments, military coups, and growing calls to end colonial-era security arrangements in recent years.

Aly-Khan Satchu, a Kenyan investment banker, said the traditional "Francafrique" model has reached its end.

Satchu said that global trends point toward greater local ownership in partnerships, and urged African governments to negotiate stronger deals.

"It remains the responsibility of African governments to negotiate in the best interests of their citizens if we are to see the birth of genuinely equal partnerships," he said.

However, Gordon K'achola, founder of the Africa Center for Diplomatic Affairs, said France is trying to rebuild trust without directly apologizing.

"This strategy may not work for them but with woke African young leaders, they are getting into partnerships knowing what they actually want," he said, adding that France's historical legacy remains a major obstacle, particularly in Anglophone Africa, which refers to English-speaking regions in the continent.

He noted a deep trust deficit: "They shall cooperate with African countries with almost zero trust. It will be based on regaining the lost opportunity Africa has had to experience for all these years under the French manipulation."

Speaking at the summit opening, Kenya's President William Ruto said shifting global trade is reshaping the world economy.

"Fragmentation cannot be the answer, nor isolation the strategy," he said, calling for cooperation based on sovereign equality, mutual respect, and shared responsibility.

Ruto said Africa must move beyond aid and dependency toward investment, innovation, and value creation.

"Africa is not part of the global problem but part of the solution," he said, highlighting the continent's natural resources, young population, and renewable energy potential.

Antonio Guterres, secretary-general of the United Nations, said Africa is now leading key global debates on reforming a financial system designed in 1945.

He said African leadership is building new tools such as the borrower's platform so that countries can speak with one voice and negotiate from a position of strength. "It is challenging credit rating systems that prevent many countries from accessing the borrowing tools they need," Guterres said.

He noted African-led efforts to strengthen collective bargaining, reform credit rating systems, and expand the lending capacity of development banks, while easing debt pressures.

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the chairman of the African Union Commission, said Africa must take a leading role in global affairs.

Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, said Africa is now viewed as a full partner rather than just a source of raw materials.

"We are working toward a transformation of investment relations, focusing on value chains, energy, and sustainable development," he said, adding that future cooperation will emphasize financial reform, taxation, and debt restructuring.