PARIS — In a candid admission of declining influence, French President Emmanuel Macron has issued a high-stakes directive to the nation’s private sector, urging financiers and entrepreneurs to “go to Africa with hunger.” Speaking at the annual Ambassadors’ Conference on January 8, 2026, Macron warned that a decade of “excessive caution” has allowed global rivals to displace France from markets it once led, calling for a total reinvigoration of French economic diplomacy.
The President’s address marks a strategic pivot away from the military-centric “Françafrique” model toward an “agentic” economic partnership. This new doctrine prioritizes SMEs, tech innovation, and the African diaspora as the primary drivers of French growth on the continent.
The “Nairobi Shift”: A New Multipolar Frontier
The cornerstone of this reset is the Africa Forward Summit, co-hosted with President William Ruto in Nairobi, Kenya, in May 2026. By moving the summit to an English-speaking East African hub, Paris is signaling a break from traditional post-colonial spheres of influence.
- Broadened Coalitions: In a significant departure from bilateralism, Macron has invited India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to the summit, positioning France as a facilitator of broader international coalitions.
- Investment Pillars: The summit will serve as a “laboratory” for practical cooperation in green industrialization, artificial intelligence, and the reform of international financial architecture.
- Beyond Extraction: Macron reiterated that the era of “simple resource extraction” is over, advocating instead for “win-win partnerships” that build local value chains and infrastructure.
Countering the Disinvestment Trend
France’s urgency is underscored by a sharp retreat of its financial institutions. Fifteen years ago, France was a dominant banking power in Africa; today, many groups have sold their stakes, leaving a vacuum filled by China, Russia, and the Gulf States.
- Market Share: French presence has significantly dwindled from its historical peaks as regulatory hurdles and competition intensified.
- FDI Concentration: Investment remains overly concentrated in a few traditional sectors, a trend the administration aims to diversify.
- Strategic Focus: The goal is a transition from security-led engagement to trade-led entrepreneurship.
A Strategy of “Hungry and Responsible” Groups
To reverse this decline, the Élysée is introducing a more selective support model. Macron noted that the government will prioritize “hungry” companies—those willing to take risks and operate responsibly—over groups seeking stagnant “economic rent.”
- SME & Startup Focus: Shifting support toward agile firms that can integrate into local economic fabrics.
- Team France Export: Utilizing a network of local experts to provide billions in targeted financing for international development.
- The Diaspora Dividend: Leveraging France’s African diaspora to foster authentic business ties and cultural exchange.
The Bottom Line: A Litmus Test for Sovereignty
For Macron, the Nairobi summit is more than a diplomatic meeting; it is a test of whether France can remain relevant in a continent that is increasingly assertive and globally connected. By emphasizing “partnerships of equals” and bringing in global allies like Germany and India, Paris hopes to prove that its new doctrine is a framework for mutual prosperity rather than a tool for projecting fading power.
President-Emmanuel-Macron-Flickr-Picture-by-Jacques-Paquier.
