Overview
- Macron, speaking Tuesday at the Africa Forward summit in Nairobi, called it a moral and political mistake to tackle global crises without Africa and invited Kenya’s William Ruto to the June G7 to ensure an African voice is at the table.
- The summit’s Nairobi Declaration urged UN Security Council reform that adds permanent African seats and asked current members to refrain from using the veto in cases of mass atrocities.
- Leaders touted an investment-first shift with €23 billion in announced commitments for Africa, about €14 billion linked to French investors and largely private, with both Macron and Ruto arguing the continent needs capital rather than traditional aid.
- Macron arrived Wednesday in Addis Ababa for a first-time official visit to the African Union headquarters and a three-way meeting with the AU leadership and UN Secretary-General António Guterres to coordinate next steps and regional mediation efforts.
- Kenyan media praised Macron’s public outreach, including viral cultural moments, while other outlets questioned whether the partnership is equitable and whether the pledges will be fairly targeted and backed by enforceable support.