French President Emmanuel Macron pushes a renewed approach to relations with African countries at the Africa Forward summit in Nairobi, held Monday and Tuesday and co-hosted with France. Multiple outlets report that France has pledged more than 23 billion euros in investment through the summit and that the event is taking place for the first time in an Anglophone country, reflecting France’s attempt to deepen ties beyond its traditional Francophone sphere. Macron and French officials describe the goal as a “partnership of equals,” emphasizing business links, diplomacy, culture, jobs, and education, and framing commitments as involving both French and African private capital. Several reports also connect the diplomatic messaging to changes in France’s posture in Africa. They say France has faced criticism over a legacy described as patronage or “Françafrique” and has withdrawn most of its troops in West Africa. The coverage also notes that France is trying to compete for influence with other major investors, including China, while positioning its strengths around expertise, infrastructure, education, digital innovation, and linguistic ties. Leaders from more than 30 countries attend, alongside executives, artists, and young entrepreneurs.