France-Africa Summit yields $25 billion pledges amid scepticism

The Africa Forward Summit 2026, co-chaired by Kenya's President William Ruto and France's Emmanuel Macron, closed in Nairobi on May 12 with commitments worth up to €23 billion ($25 billion) for projects spanning technology, energy, and infrastructure. The outcomes listed in a 'Nairobi declaration' included support for a new pan-African financial architecture and commitments to sustainable development. However, doubts remain regarding France's true intentions.