Kenya, France Forge New Strategic Partnership Ahead of Africa Summit in Nairobi
PS Korir (right) with Eléonore Caroit(left), France’s Minister Delegate for Francophonie, International Partnerships and French Citizens Abroad.
Nairobi County: Kenya and France have entered a new phase of bilateral relations, shifting from a traditional aid model to a forward-looking partnership anchored on investment, co-creation and shared growth.
The renewed cooperation comes ahead of the Africa Forward Summit scheduled for May 11–12, 2026 in Nairobi. The announcement was made during a visit by Eléonore Caroit, France’s Minister Delegate for Francophonie, International Partnerships and French Citizens Abroad.
Speaking at a joint conference at the University of Nairobi, Caroit emphasized youth empowerment and sustainable economic collaboration as central pillars of the partnership.
“France is currently Kenya’s fifth-largest foreign investor, with more than 140 French companies operating in the country and employing about 36,000 people,” Caroit revealed. Adding, French Foreign Direct Investment in Kenya has tripled over the past decade, alongside support for 150 development projects worth KES 277 billion (€1.8 billion).”
She listed key areas of cooperation include; higher education, renewable energy, infrastructure, health and culture.
In education, France is investing KES 5.38 billion (€35 million) to establish a new engineering and science complex at the University of Nairobi, aimed at training engineers in artificial intelligence and climate change.
A separate “Digitalization for TVET” programme has also been launched with support from the French Development Agency, the European Union and Germany’s KfW to boost youth employability.
In energy and climate action, France has committed KES 80.6 billion (€525 million) over the past decade, supporting Kenya’s goal of achieving 100 percent renewable electricity and universal access by 2030.
Projects strengthening the national electricity transmission network are expected to benefit 9.6 million people. France has also financed forest fire management initiatives through support to the Kenya Forest Service.
Infrastructure and health investments totaling KES 217 billion (€1.41 billion) have supported water, transport and healthcare projects, including a new water treatment plant in Kigoro commissioned in 2024. During the visit, Caroit also launched a 2025–2028 sickle cell disease programme in Kenya and Tanzania, funded by the French Development Agency and the Pierre Fabre Foundation.
In the cultural sector, France is investing over KES 384 million (€2.5 million) between 2024 and 2026 under the Création Africa programme to strengthen Kenya’s creative and digital industries through the Alliance Française network.
For the first time outside a Francophone African country, Nairobi will host the Africa Forward Summit, underscoring a broader, pan-African approach to cooperation.
Deliberations are expected to address reform of the international financial system, energy transition, green industrialization, blue economy, artificial intelligence, agriculture and health, with outcomes feeding into discussions under France’s G7 Presidency at the G7 Summit in Évian-les-Bains in June 2026.
