French President Emmanuel Macron used a speech at the University of Nairobi on Monday to argue for a fundamental shift in Europe's relationship with Africa: away from aid and toward investment. Co-hosting the two-day Africa Forward Summit with Kenyan President William Ruto, Macron said the continent "needs investment to become more sovereign."
Speaking in French, Macron acknowledged that the era of European leaders lecturing their African counterparts was over. "This is no longer what Africa needs or wants to hear," he said. "That's just as well, because we, too, no longer have the means, if we're being honest."
Colonial Legacy and Governance
In an interview with Jeune Afrique and The Africa Report ahead of the summit, Macron said he had "strongly condemned colonialism" when he took office in 2017. But he cautioned against blaming the colonial era alone for Africa's current challenges. "We must not exonerate from all responsibility the seven decades that followed independence," he added, calling on African leaders to improve governance.
European former colonial powers—France and the United Kingdom in particular—remain frequent targets of criticism across Africa. Macron pushed back, insisting that Europe is not "the predator of this century." Instead, he argued, "Europe defends the international order, effective multilateralism, the rule of law, free and open trade."
Contrast with China and the US
Macron drew a sharp contrast between Europe's approach and that of the United States and China. He accused both of being locked in a trade standoff with no respect for rules. On critical minerals and rare earths, he singled out China, saying it "operates according to a predatory logic: it does the processing at home" and creates "dependencies with the rest of the world."
Europe, Macron said, is instead promoting "a strategy of autonomy" for both continents. Central to that vision is an overhaul of international finance to create a system of financial guarantees that can attract private investment. The summit itself was designed to renew France's engagement with Africa after years of strained ties with its former colonies.
Military Withdrawal and the Sahel
France withdrew its troops from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger after military juntas seized power in those countries between 2020 and 2023. Asked about the putschists, Macron said: "I'm convinced that we must let these states and their leaders, even putschists, chart their own course." He defended France's earlier military presence in the Sahel, saying it had been requested to fight the jihadist threat. "When our presence was no longer wanted after the coups, we left," he said. "That wasn't a humiliation but a logical response to a given situation."
The summit comes as Europe faces broader competition for influence in Africa. While Macron's message was aimed at reshaping perceptions, the continent's growing tourism sector—Africa has emerged as the fastest-growing tourism region—offers one avenue for economic diversification. Meanwhile, the Middle East conflict continues to threaten African growth, with the IMF warning of soaring costs that could undermine investment plans.
