NAIROBI, Kenya — French President Emmanuel Macron has praised William Ruto for what he described as a bold and ultimately successful effort in co-hosting the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi.
Speaking at the close of the two-day summit, the French president struck a light but pointed tone, commending Ruto’s decision to take on the high-stakes diplomatic event.
“I want to thank my brother Ruto, because he had to be crazy to accept this offer to co-chair the Africa Forward Summit. He accepted, and more than that, he delivered,” Macron said.
Opening his remarks in Kiswahili, Macron greeted the audience with: “Nairobi niaje? Mko poa?” — drawing applause before continuing with his tribute to Kenya’s leadership and organisation of the summit.
Diplomatic momentum and soft power display
Macron also extended appreciation to the Kenyan government and citizens, highlighting the country’s hospitality and organisational capacity.
“I want to thank the President of Kenya, his government, the team, all the organisation and the French teams, because together you clearly built something unique in this Africa Forward Summit,” he said.
The French leader acknowledged the broader contribution of Kenyan society to the summit’s success, singling out artists, entrepreneurs and sports figures as key actors in shaping its atmosphere and impact.
President Ruto, in his response, described Macron as a trusted partner and reaffirmed Kenya’s openness to deeper bilateral engagement.
“We are very proud to be part of this event, Emmanuel. Thanks very much for paying us a visit. You are welcome to Kenya anytime. You have demonstrated that you are our friend,” he said.
Africa–France relations: Reset or reinvention?
The summit comes at a critical moment in Africa–France relations, as Paris seeks to recalibrate its engagement with the continent following a series of political and military setbacks in parts of West and Central Africa.
Recent years have seen France withdraw troops from countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger amid rising anti-French sentiment and shifting geopolitical alliances.
Against this backdrop, the Africa Forward Summit has been positioned as part of a broader effort to redefine cooperation on more equal and partnership-based terms.
Kenya’s role as co-host underscores its growing diplomatic influence in Africa, particularly as Nairobi continues to position itself as a hub for international dialogue on trade, climate and security.
Key Outcomes: From dialogue to action
At the heart of the summit was the adoption of a joint declaration titled “Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnership for Growth and Innovation.”
The framework outlines a shift toward action-oriented collaboration built on mutual respect, shared responsibility and co-development.
Also Read: What visiting Heads of State ate at Ruto’s lavish Africa-France Summit State dinner
The declaration reaffirms commitments under the African Union Constitutive Act, including:
- Promotion of peace and security
- Strengthening democratic governance
- Enhancing cooperation among African states
It also emphasises support for African-led solutions to conflict through the African Union’s Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), alongside the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2719.
The resolution is expected to deepen coordination between the United Nations and the African Union, particularly in peacekeeping operations, financing mechanisms and decision-making processes.
Strategic implications
Analysts say the summit reflects a broader recalibration of global partnerships, as African countries increasingly assert agency in shaping international cooperation frameworks.
For France, the initiative signals a pivot toward economic, cultural and innovation-driven engagement rather than traditional security-focused influence.
For Kenya, hosting the summit reinforces its positioning as a diplomatic bridge between Africa and global powers — a role that continues to expand amid shifting geopolitical currents.
