Kenya and France have launched a new strategic partnership during a visit by Eléonore Caroit, shifting from a traditional aid model to investment-driven cooperation ahead of the Africa Forward Summit set for May in Nairobi.
Speaking during a joint conference at the University of Nairobi on Friday, the French Minister Delegate for Francophonie, International Partnerships, and French Citizens Abroad said the evolving partnership reflects a shared ambition to unlock opportunity for Africa’s future, particularly its youth.
“Kenya is a source of inspiration and a success story, with Kenya’s entrepreneurial spirit and exceptional sense of innovation,” Caroit said.
“It is precisely why we will organize together with Kenya the upcoming Africa Forward Summit on 11 and 12 May, here in Nairobi. This Summit will focus on building a shared future on trying to tackle economic and global issues. It will reach out to Kenya’s youthful dynamic, inspirational and innovative society.”
The summit, to be held on May 11–12, 2026, will for the first time take place outside a Francophone African country, underscoring Nairobi’s growing diplomatic and economic profile.
France is currently Kenya’s fifth-largest foreign investor, with more than 140 French companies operating locally and creating 36,000 direct jobs. French Foreign Direct Investment in Kenya has tripled over the past decade.
Caroit said France is moving toward a “sustainable solidarity investment policy” that prioritizes “mutual, inclusive economic empowerment over dependency,” marking what officials described as a new era of bilateral relations driven by investment, co-creation and reciprocity.
Over the last decade, France has supported 150 projects in Kenya worth Sh277 billion (1.8 billion euros). In higher education alone, France is investing Sh5.38 billion (35 million euros) at the University of Nairobi to develop a landmark engineering and science complex focused on artificial intelligence and climate change, with special attention to women and girls.
In renewable energy and climate action, France has invested Sh80.6 billion (525 million euros) and remains Kenya’s first bilateral partner for energy provision. Ongoing projects to reinforce Kenya’s electricity transmission network are expected to benefit 9.6 million people.
France has also invested Sh217 billion (1.41 billion euros) in infrastructure and health over the last decade, including water, transport and healthcare initiatives.
During her visit, Caroit launched a new 2025–2028 project tackling sickle cell disease care in Kenya and Tanzania.
The outcomes of the Africa Forward Summit will feed into discussions under France’s G7 Presidency at the G7 Summit in June 2026.
