A delegation of 22 French investors is in Kenya to hold meetings towards strengthening the Kenya-France economic partnership.
The delegation led by MEDEF International arrived in Kenya on Monday for a three-day visit, where they will explore cooperation in energy, sustainable cities, transport, digital transformation and security sectors, French Embassy said in a statement.
MEDEF International is the international branch of MEDEF International, the largest federation of French employers. It represents 80% of French companies operating abroad, the embassy said.
It is also the leading network of businesses in France: 750,000 businesses, 20,000 representatives, 95 from VSE-SMEs.
The embassy noted that the visit offers a unique opportunity to strengthen Franco-Kenyan economic cooperation, as France ranks among Kenya’s top three bilateral official financiers and top 5 private investors.
“{Over 120 French companies already operate in Kenya, creating 36,000 direct jobs. Our partnership is growing, further strengthened by the 2024 EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA),” it added.
The delegation, it noted, reflects France and the EU’s shared priorities and commitment to supporting Kenya’s economic growth, youth training, environmental protection, and leadership in renewable energy.
Among the projects in Kenya financed and/or supported by France include the Kigoro Water Treatment Plant and Northern Collector, which is financed through Agence Française de Développement and is expected boost water supply in Nairobi.
The National System Control Center, which is aimed at enhancing the national grid stability and renewable energy integration, is fully financed by the Direction générale du Trésor and AFD.
France is also supporting high-education and youth employment through the AFD-funded engineering and science complex of the University of Nairobi, fostering ongoing French-Kenyan academic cooperation.
“This mission will enable companies to seize emerging opportunities ahead of the 2026 Africa France New Summit in Nairobi, which is set to mark a new milestone of our bilateral relationship,” the Embassy said.
AFRICA-FRANCE SUMMIT
France and Kenya in September 2024 announced a joint Africa-France Summit in Nairobi in 2026.
The announcement was made following a meeting between presidents William Ruto and Emmanuel Macron in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations’ General Assembly high-level week.
French Presidency said the summit would focus on solutions to challenges related to climate, environment and the reform of the international financial architecture.
“It will seek to foster a constructive form of multilateralism, in line with the Paris Pact for People and the Planet and the Nairobi Declaration which resulted from the Africa Climate Summit.
“This summit will bring together both political authorities from the African continent and representatives from civil society and the private sector,” the statement said.
The summit is, however, viewed as an attempt by France to remain relevant in the continent after losing influence in most part of West Africa.
France has intensified its activities in Eastern Africa, particularly in Kenya, seen as an opportunity to use the “gateway to East Africa” and shore up its relevance in the continent.
On March 3, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Dr. Korir Singoei held a bilateral meeting with the adviser of the President of France on Africa Jérémie Robert at the Elysee palace in Paris.
“The two sides expressed commitment to continue partnering to support the various peace processes in the region and promotion of multilateralism as the viable pathway for addressing the current global challenges,” the State Department of Foreign Affairs said in a dispatch.
It further noted that Kenya and France share a commitment to promoting global peace and sustainable development.
The Foreign Office on March 4 said the Africa-France Summit in 2026 aims to concretize reform proposals that will be prioritized during France’s Presidency of G7 in 2026.
“During a bilateral meeting between Kenya and France in Paris, to brainstorm on the expected theme and outcome of the Summit, the Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Dr. Korir Singoei noted the need for the Summit outcome to be future oriented and to provide an impetus for the realisation of Africa’s aspirations for a fair and inclusive development financing mechanism,” Foreign Office said.
On his part, Jeremie Blin, the Secretary General of the of the France Africa Summit, said France is committed to leveraging on the Summit to consolidate Africa’s voice on improved access to finance for sustainable development and strengthening the continent’s role in the green energy transition.
France Ambassador to Kenya Arnaud Suquet has also added his voice on the conference, saying no country should have to choose btw growth or saving the world.
“We need to reform the international financial architecture, raise funds to fight climate change and listen to Africa’s voice That’s why France and Kenya will host the Africa-France summit in Nairobi in 2026,” he said.
