French president announces billions in new African investments
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- French President Emmanuel Macron announced new investments totaling 23 billion euros ($27 billion) in Africa, focusing on sectors like energy, AI, and agriculture, with funding from both French companies and African entities.
- Macron emphasized a shift in France-Africa relations toward mutual respect and sovereignty, moving away from colonial-era dependency to partnerships based on shared success and co-investment.
- Kenyan President William Ruto, co-host of the Africa Forward Summit, stressed the importance of sovereign equality and mutually beneficial investment, rejecting aid or charity-based relationships.
- The summit occurs amid tensions between France and its former West African colonies, with France having withdrawn most of its troops following criticism of its heavy-handed policies.
- Macron praised the unity of African leaders at the summit and highlighted that France’s new approach prioritizes respect for African countries’ independence and autonomy.