Kenyan President William Ruto, during a state visit to France on May 11, 2026, emphasized the vast potential for cooperation between Africa and France. Speaking at a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace, Ruto highlighted areas such as renewable energy, digital economy, and infrastructure development as key sectors for partnership.
Ruto noted that Africa's young population and growing markets present significant opportunities for French investment. He called for a mutually beneficial relationship that moves beyond traditional aid models to focus on trade, technology transfer, and job creation. Macron echoed these sentiments, reaffirming France's commitment to supporting African-led initiatives.
The visit also included the signing of several bilateral agreements, including a memorandum of understanding on climate change and green energy. Both leaders stressed the importance of addressing global challenges like climate change and food security through enhanced cooperation between the two continents.
