Kenya Wins Big in Macron’s Ksh3.5T Africa Plan

French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled a $27 billion (Ksh 3.5 trillion) Africa investment package, with Kenya emerging as one of the biggest beneficiaries during the Africa Forward Summit held in Nairobi.

The announcement, made together with President William Ruto, marks a clear shift in France’s engagement with Africa, moving away from aid-based relations and toward long-term investment, industrial partnerships and private-sector-driven growth.

Macron said France is now focusing on building economic partnerships that support industrial development, job creation and stronger trade ties across the continent. He emphasised that Africa’s future will be shaped more by investment and innovation than by traditional donor support models.

The €23 billion ($27 billion) package includes €14 billion from French public and private institutions, while €9 billion will come through co-investments between African and French businesses. The programme is expected to create more than 250,000 jobs across Africa and France.

Kenya featured prominently in the Nairobi summit outcomes, with President Ruto announcing that the country had signed 11 investment agreements with France worth nearly Ksh 150 billion in a single day.

The agreements cover key sectors including renewable energy, transport infrastructure, digital technology, agriculture, urban development and logistics.

Modernisation of Port of Mombasa

One of the most significant commitments came from French logistics giant CMA CGM, which announced a €700 million investment to modernise the Port of Mombasa. The upgrade is expected to improve cargo handling efficiency, expand capacity and strengthen Kenya’s role as a major trade gateway for East and Central Africa.

The Port of Mombasa is a critical entry point for goods destined for Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The investment is expected to enhance regional supply chains and support trade expansion under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.

A large portion of the French investment package will be directed toward Kenya’s renewable energy sector. The country already generates more than 90 per cent of its electricity from clean sources, including geothermal, hydro, wind and solar power, making it one of the leading green energy producers in the world.

French companies are expected to support the expansion of geothermal projects, electricity transmission infrastructure, battery storage systems and electric mobility solutions such as electric buses and charging networks. This aligns with Nairobi’s ambition to position itself as a clean energy and green industrial hub.

Technology is another major focus area, with investments targeting artificial intelligence, cloud computing, fibre optic expansion, data centres and startup ecosystems. Nairobi is expected to benefit significantly as a regional hub for digital innovation and fintech growth.

Agriculture also forms part of the investment agenda, with funding aimed at improving irrigation systems, supporting climate-smart farming, expanding fertiliser production and strengthening agro-processing industries. Key export sectors such as tea, coffee, horticulture and avocado production are expected to gain from improved value chains and new market linkages.

Beyond the economic agreements, the summit carries wider geopolitical significance. Hosting the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi — the first France-Africa summit held in an English-speaking African country — reflects France’s strategic effort to reset its influence on the continent after losing ground in parts of West Africa.

For Kenya, the outcome reinforces its position as a key investment destination in Africa, particularly in energy, infrastructure and digital transformation, while strengthening its role as a regional economic and logistics hub.