In Nairobi, the Africa Forward 2026 summit aims to redefine relations between Africa and Europe through investment and industrialisation. At the heart of the discussions: €23 billion in private investment announced for infrastructure, energy and digital technology. With a population of 1.5 billion today and expected to account for a quarter of the world’s population by 2050, Africa intends to strengthen its economic and political influence in major international bodies.
The “Africa Forward 2026” summit of heads of state, held in Nairobi, Kenya, marks a new phase in relations between Africa and France. Speaking before several African leaders, French President Emmanuel Macron called for a partnership based on mutual respect, listening and support for the priorities set by African countries. This new dynamic comes at a time when Africa, with a population of nearly 1.5 billion, is expected to account for nearly a quarter of the world’s population by 2050. Economically, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) could generate up to $450 billion in additional revenue by 2035, according to World Bank estimates.
By the year 2050, one in every four people on earth will be African. That reality alone will shape the future of labor, will shape the future of markets, urbanization, energy demand, and global economic growth. Over the course of this summit, our deliberations will focus on priorities fundamental to Africa’s development trajectory and long-term prosperity.William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya
Kenyan President William Ruto has stated that Africa must now establish itself as a key player in global economic and technological solutions. The head of state called for an acceleration of local industrialisation, given that the continent still accounts for only around 3% of global manufacturing trade. Despite this lag, Africa possesses considerable assets, notably nearly 60% of the world’s solar potential and a particularly young population, with a median age of under 20. This demographic dynamism is seen as a strategic lever for the development of the digital economy and artificial intelligence.
The relationship between Africa and France, as we see it, as we conceive it, and as we act upon it, is indeed founded on clarity, courage, respect and a fundamental commitment to a shared agenda.
Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic of France
This shared ambition is being realised through the announcement of €23 billion in private investment earmarked for infrastructure, energy and the digital sector. According to the African Development Bank, Africa’s annual infrastructure financing needs are estimated at between $130 billion and $170 billion, with a shortfall exceeding $100 billion.