Kenya to lead Africa in charting new trade path with France in Nairobi

Kenya 's central role in France’s renewed commercial ties with Africa is emerging with President Emmanuel Macron expected in Nairobi for the Africa Forward Summit on May 11.

On Tuesday,  top trade and foreign minister delegates meeting in Paris highlighted the significance of the summit, seen as 'history in the making'.

The Africa Forward meet will be held in an anglophone country for the first time, signalling a deliberate pivot by Macron’s administration to broaden its engagement beyond traditional francophone strongholds.

It also places William Ruto’s government at the heart of efforts to reshape trade relations between Europe and Africa.

France’s Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness minister Nicolas Forissier said Kenya is playing a “pivotal role in baking new rules of engagement” between France and African economies.

“At the Africa Forward Summit, France will be seeking a new trade order with Africa, anchored on mutual respect and shared opportunities,” Forissier said.

The Africa Forward Summit was launched in the late 2010s as part of France’s broader strategy to modernise its economic diplomacy with Africa.

Initially focused on strengthening ties with francophone nations, the forum has evolved into a multi-stakeholder platform, bringing together governments, investors, development financiers, and private sector leaders.

It is focused on promoting sustainable investment and industrialisation and expanding trade beyond raw materials. It is also supporting African-led development priorities and strengthening public-private partnerships.

Over the years, the summit has facilitated billions of euros in project commitments, particularly in infrastructure, energy, agriculture and digital transformation.

However, its expansion into anglophone Africa, starting with Nairobi, marks a significant strategic shift. The Nairobi summit comes amid intensifying global competition for African markets and resources.

While traditional partners like France have maintained steady growth in trade since 2015, their relative dominance has waned. China, for instance, now commands roughly 17 per cent of Africa’s total trade, dwarfing France’s estimated 4.2 per cent share.

Other players, including Turkey, India, and Gulf states, are also aggressively expanding their footprint. Despite this, trade between France and Africa has remained resilient.

Bilateral trade is estimated at over €65 billion annually, with a relatively balanced exchange compared to some competitors. Top African exports to France include crude oil and petroleum products, cocoa and coffee, uranium and other minerals.

Others are agricultural produce; including fruits and vegetables. France’s main exports to the continent include: machinery and industrial equipment, pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and transport equipment including aircraft and vehicles.

It also brings in processed food and luxury goods. Kenya’s selection as host followed high-level engagement between William Ruto and Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G20 meetings in Washington last year.

The choice reflects Kenya’s growing stature as a regional economic hub and diplomatic bridge between Africa and global powers. Kenya-France trade has been steadily expanding, with bilateral trade valued at over €1.5 billion annually.

The East Africa economic powerhouse exports horticultural products—flowers, vegetables, and tea while importing pharmaceuticals, machinery, and transport equipment from France.

The balance has traditionally tilted in France’s favour, though Kenyan exports have shown strong growth in recent years. Beyond the summit, Kenya’s global profile continues to rise.

It is among a select group of countries—alongside Brazil and India invited to participate in the upcoming G7 Summit in Paris, further underscoring its geopolitical importance. Earlier in the day, Éléonore Caroit, France's Minister Delegate for Francophonie, International Partnerships and French Nationals Abroad emphasised a shift in France’s approach.

She noted that partnerships with Africa would increasingly be guided by local priorities and tangible impact.

“We want to support African countries in driving their own development agenda, ensuring that investments create value for families while respecting national priorities,” she said. This aligns with a broader shift across the continent, where governments are pushing for greater value in addition to raw materials.

They are also agitating for industrialisation, job creation and reduced dependence on external financing. Africa’s economic outlook is strengthened, underpinned by demographics and policy reforms.

The continent’s population is projected to approach one billion consumers by 2030 within an increasingly integrated market under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Negotiating as a bloc offers several advantages, including unified positions improving leverage in global trade negotiations. Furthermore, a single market attracts bigger investments, reduced trade fragmentation, harmonised standards and tariffs lower costs.

For France and the European Union, this evolving landscape demands adaptation, moving away from extractive trade patterns toward partnerships that support Africa’s industrial ambitions.

With more than 1,500 delegates expected, including top European industrial and government leaders, Nairobi is set to host one of the most consequential trade gatherings on the continent this year. The summit is not just a diplomatic win, but a platform to shape the future of Africa-Europe trade relations.

For France, it is an opportunity to reassert relevance in a rapidly changing economic order while for Africa, it marks another step toward redefining its role, from a supplier of raw materials to a competitive player in global value chains.