Nairobi Hosts Historic Africa-France Summit as Kenya and France Announce Over $1 Billion in Investments Across Energy, Transport and Digital Infrastructure
NAIROBI, Kenya (Horn post) William Ruto and Emmanuel Macron on Saturday announced a series of major bilateral agreements aimed at expanding cooperation between Kenya and France in energy, infrastructure, digital transformation, maritime affairs, and trade.
The agreements were signed in Nairobi during President Macron’s official visit to Kenya ahead of the inaugural Africa-France Summit, which both leaders described as a turning point in relations between Africa and France.
The summit, hosted for the first time outside France and beyond a Francophone African country, brings together African leaders, investors, business executives, and policymakers under the theme of economic partnership, innovation, and sustainable growth.
“This summit reflects a new relationship built on mutual respect, investment and shared responsibility,” President William Ruto said during a joint press briefing in Nairobi.
Among the agreements signed was a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the blue economy and fisheries sector between Kenya’s Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs and France’s Ministry of Sea and Fisheries.
The two countries also signed a strategic cooperation agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, with Kenya seeking French technical support as it moves toward diversifying its energy mix and expanding electricity generation.
“We need to generate at least 10,000 megawatts in the next seven years,” Ruto said. “France’s experience in safe civil nuclear energy will help Kenya achieve its transformation agenda.”
France currently generates roughly 75% of its electricity through nuclear power, according to President Emmanuel Macron, who described the partnership as a long-term commitment based on trust and technology transfer.
Additional agreements focused on Kenya’s digital transformation agenda, including projects to expand digital connectivity, strengthen public digital services, support innovation, and improve cybersecurity systems.
Kenya and France also finalized infrastructure deals involving the modernization of Nairobi’s commuter railway network and expansion of logistics and container terminal capacity at the Port of Mombasa.
French shipping giant CMA CGM committed hundreds of millions of dollars toward port modernization and terminal development projects aimed at supporting larger cargo vessels and increasing East African trade capacity.
President Macron said French companies are increasing investments in Kenya as the country positions itself as a regional technology, logistics, and renewable energy hub.
“Kenya has become one of Africa’s leading innovation and digital economies,” Macron said. “France wants to build a balanced partnership based on investment, education, technology and sustainable development.”
The agreements also covered renewable energy projects, weather and climate modernization systems, agricultural cooperation, sustainable aviation fuel production, and engineering education partnerships between Kenyan and French institutions.
Kenyan officials said the deals align with Nairobi’s broader industrialization and infrastructure agenda, including transport modernization, clean energy expansion, and agricultural value addition.
Ruto described the Kenya-France relationship as “special,” citing France’s longstanding support for Kenya since independence in 1963 and growing cooperation in energy, health, transport, and education.
The leaders additionally discussed reforms to the global financial system, African development financing, and the role of African institutions in mobilizing investment for infrastructure and climate resilience projects.
The Africa-France Summit is expected to attract more than 35 heads of state, business executives, and thousands of delegates to Nairobi, with discussions focused on trade, innovation, climate action, and investment partnerships across the continent.
President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Kenya ahead of the summit and was received by Musalia Mudavadi, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.
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Horn post staff
