France is recalibrating its approach to Africa, focusing on trade, investment, and maintaining its 'pré carré' (traditional sphere of influence) as competition from China and Russia intensifies. According to a 2025 report by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, French trade with sub-Saharan Africa reached €45 billion in 2024, a 12% increase from 2023, driven by energy and infrastructure deals.
However, France's influence faces challenges. A 2025 survey by the Afrobarometer research network found that only 35% of respondents in Francophone West Africa view France's influence positively, down from 50% in 2020. Meanwhile, China's trade with Africa hit a record $282 billion in 2024, according to Chinese customs data, and Russia has expanded military and diplomatic ties in the Sahel region.
In response, France has launched new initiatives, including a €1.5 billion investment fund for African startups announced in March 2026, and has shifted from military interventions to economic partnerships. President Emmanuel Macron stated in a February 2026 speech in Dakar that 'France's future is tied to Africa's rise,' emphasizing renewable energy and digital infrastructure projects.
Despite these efforts, analysts at the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI) note that France's market share in Africa has declined from 10% in 2010 to 7% in 2024, as African nations diversify their partnerships. The outcome of France's strategy will depend on its ability to offer tangible benefits to African economies.
