Macron champions African investment, backs restitution of colonial artefacts
The Presidency has said President Bola Tinubu will use the ongoing Africa-France Economic Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, to showcase Nigeria’s economic reforms and strengthen investor confidence in the country’s economy.

The summit, co-hosted by Kenyan President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron, is bringing together African leaders, global investors and business executives to discuss economic transformation, innovation and investment opportunities across the continent.

President Tinubu is also expected to proceed to Kigali, Rwanda, for the Africa CEO Forum as part of broader engagements aimed at deepening economic cooperation and attracting investment into Nigeria and Africa.

Speaking on the significance of the summit, presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala said the engagement aligns closely with the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s economy for sustainable growth.

According to him, six of the seven thematic areas scheduled for discussion at the summit reflect policy directions already being implemented by the Nigerian government.

Bwala identified the key focus areas as international financial restructuring, artificial intelligence, agriculture, blue economy and broader economic transformation initiatives across Africa.

French President, Macron, has urged investment in Africa at the start of the economic summit in Nairobi, aimed at renewing France’s engagement with the continent. He also put forward France’s new legislation easing return of objects looted during the colonial era.

Africa “needs investment to become more sovereign”, with aid being replaced by economic opportunities, Macron said Monday, announcing €23 billion of investment for Africa.

Speaking at the University of Nairobi, at the start of the two-day summit, he said the funds would include €14 billion in private and public investments by French entities, and nine billion euros by African investors, focused on energy transition, digital and AI, the maritime economy and agriculture.

They would create 250,000 direct jobs in France and Africa, Macron said.

“We are not simply here to come and invest on the African continent alongside you – we need the great African business leaders to come and invest in France,” he told the audience at Nairobi’s convention centre.

“And that too is what underpins this relationship, now entirely free of hang-ups,” he added.

Ahead of the summit, Macron told The Africa Report that colonialism could no longer be blamed for all of Africa’s challenges.