Europe Plays Catch-Up in Africa as Emerging Powers Boost Investment

French President Emmanuel Macron was in Nairobi this week for a summit with regional leaders that the Élysée billed as a sign of “renewed partnership” with Africa. The event, co-hosted by Kenyan President William Ruto, was designed to reassert French — and wider European — influence after a string of setbacks across the continent. While it yielded billions of euros in investment commitments, the meeting also highlighted the challenges Europe faces as China, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and India expand their reach across Africa.

More than 30 African presidents, deputy presidents and prime ministers attended the conclave, alongside executives from major French companies such as TotalEnergies SE and Orange SA, as well as regional potentates including Nigerian billionaires Aliko Dangote and Abdul Samad Rabiu. Macron announced €14 billion ($16.4 billion) in promised French investments in energy, technology, artificial intelligence and more, hailing the gathering as a step toward “strategic autonomy for Europe and Africa.”