French President Emmanuel Macron has defended Europe’s partnership with Africa while sharply criticising China’s economic approach on the continent during a two-day economic summit in Nairobi, Kenya. Speaking in an interview with Jeune Afrique and The Africa Report, Macron said Europe remains committed to multilateralism, fair trade, and the rule of law, rejecting claims that European countries are the main drivers of Africa’s current economic and political challenges. The French leader acknowledged France’s colonial past, saying he had “strongly condemned colonialism” since taking office in 2017. However, he argued that Africa’s post-independence leadership must also take responsibility for governance and development failures over the past seven decades.
Macron contrasted Europe’s engagement with China’s growing influence in Africa, accusing Beijing of using a “predatory logic” in its control of critical minerals. He claimed China processes African resources domestically while creating long-term global dependencies. At the summit, Macron pushed for reforms to the international financial system aimed at unlocking private investment for African economies. He called for stronger global financial guarantees, a key demand from many African governments seeking affordable financing and sustainable development partnerships. The Nairobi gathering forms part of France’s wider effort to rebuild ties with African nations after deteriorating relations in parts of West Africa, particularly in the Sahel region.
France ended military operations in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger following a wave of military coups between 2020 and 2023. Macron said France respected the decisions of those governments after French troops were asked to leave. He defended France’s previous military presence in the Sahel, saying deployments were made at the request of local authorities to combat jihadist insurgencies. Despite recent tensions, Macron predicted that the region would eventually return to democratic governance under civilian leadership.
