The latest tour by French President Emmanuel Macron of the East African region is indicative of a critical period in France’s changing relations with the region, amid efforts to mend its deteriorating economic and security relations with the region and amid the growing negative sentiments towards France in the region. The trip began from May 9-10, 2026, and will be followed by visits to Egypt and Ethiopia after touring Kenya.
Such a bold diplomatic move by the French government, which is referred to as a “report card” by the French government regarding Macron’s Africa policy one year to the end of his term, clearly indicates that France is changing its diplomatic policy from the old French-speaking countries of West Africa to English-speaking dynamic countries of East Africa. This is especially so given the growing presence of China, Russia, and Turkey in Africa.
Strategic Imperative Behind the Tour
Macron’s visit to East Africa is timely in the context of the deteriorating influence of France in Africa, with the military regimes of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger having chased out French soldiers from their countries, scrapped defense agreements, and even conducted protests against neocolonial practices, compelling France to abandon their military presence in the region.
The backlash has spread to the economic arena as well, where French firms like TotalEnergies have been attacked, while the French media has had its operations in Chad halted, among others. It must be noted that the trip made by Macron towards the eastern region is actually part of his diversification strategy that focuses on Kenya, which ranks fourth among France’s largest trading partners in East Africa based on bilateral trade relations in 2024. In bringing the summit to Nairobi, France makes the unprecedented step of breaking away from a 53-year-old practice held in Paris.
The French diplomats have presented the tour as an all-encompassing reset, encompassing cultural diplomacy, green development projects, and practical economic arrangements. Expanding upon the 2025 visits to Mauritius, South Africa, Gabon, and Angola that had been undertaken by President Macron, this East African visit seeks to fill in the geopolitical gaps created by the withdrawal of France from West Africa. While a favorable response is being witnessed regarding the defense agreement signed between France and Kenya, it does not come without its implications as there is an indication of some form of cooperation between security and economic benefits despite the difficulties that French companies have in penetrating the East African market due to its domination by Asian firms.
Economic Revival at the Core
The main focus of President Macron’s visit to East Africa is an urgent effort to rejuvenate economic relations, with Kenya acting as the focal point. French diplomats emphasize Nairobi’s contribution towards pan-African trade based on its potential as an innovation center in the region. Statistics for 2024 reveal low but increasing amounts of trade, with France keen on further growth via joint ventures in finance technology, renewables, and agriculture.
The “Africa Forward” meeting, jointly chaired by Macron and Ruto, is a stage for high-level business deals, going far beyond symbolic talks toward concrete steps on investment protection and access to markets. It represents a stark change from the previous attempts, when Macron’s 2019 courtship of East African leaders resulted in few gains for French companies despite tough local competition.
In reaching out to Egypt and Ethiopia, the tour exploits markets that have strategic importance. Egypt, one of the strongest nations in North Africa, is a chance for investment in its infrastructure and defense, taking advantage of common interests in the Mediterranean. Ethiopia, now at peace, offers potential in rebuilding itself economically with French assistance. The French delegation encourages private enterprises in France to cater to the African market’s needs.
The new economic realignment is in response to changing circumstances: the youth population and the continent’s tech revolution require flexible collaboration rather than paternalistic aid. Macron attempts to paint France as an aid for the continent’s development rather than one that exploits it by presenting itself as a partner in development.
Security Realignment Amid Backlash
Security issues also represent yet another core issue for the tour, with France moving from its old strategy of acting alone toward cooperation. This is evident in the case of expulsions from West Africa, where French troops have been met with hostility in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
This approach focuses on selling weapons, sharing intelligence, and training local military forces, thereby minimizing the involvement of France in the process but retaining influence. The case of Kenya, which supports the signing of a new security pact, demonstrates how such an approach can lead to the sale of high-tech arms and antiterrorism aid specific to East Africa.
The security narrative for the tour is inextricably tied to countering the anti-French sentiment that has grown throughout the Sahel and beyond. Research and reports outline the poisonous brew of grievances that include economic domination by French corporations, currency control by the CFA franc, and failed military interventions to quell jihadist flashpoints. Examples of attacks include mobs assaulting French embassies, the expulsion of diplomats, and destruction of corporate property, driven by social media campaigns that paint France as a colonial holdover.
Macron acknowledges this head-on, advocating a “new relationship” predicated on equality, as echoed in prior speeches revisiting France-Africa ties. In East Africa, where historical grievances are less acute, this message resonates more readily, allowing Paris to project partnership over paternalism.
Navigating Anti-French Sentiment
Where anti-French attitudes were once restricted to Francophone spaces, they have extended into wider discussions within Africa, threatening the existence of any legacy that President Macron may have created. Violent demonstrations in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad, among other nations, have moved beyond mere rhetoric and now involve coups working together with Russia’s private military contractor, the Wagner Group.
The visit will be aimed at addressing this by focusing on cultural interactions and education agreements to humanize France rather than seeing it through military and economic spectacles. The discussions during the summit in Nairobi will focus on the common values between the two countries such as democracy and innovation.
But there are still problems to solve. In particular, French businesses have traditionally found it hard to operate in East Africa due to bureaucracy, protectionism, and reputations tarnished by scandals on the continent. The new proposal by Macron for strategic autonomy for African countries is meant to put France forward as a partner capable of competing with other powers, yet many remain unsure of whether it can overcome its past. Cooperation between the two leaders, according to summit reports, represents a sign of hope and indicates that relations are developing into more adult ones.
Broader Geopolitical Context
The East Africa tour of Macron comes at a time when the African continent has changed dramatically, with France having to compete with several rival powers. Investments by China under its Belt and Road Initiative have surpassed French foreign aid, while Russia is employing mercenaries in filling security gaps. The drones produced by Turkey are making gains in conflict zones. The tour comes after years of resetting, and in 2025, France will undertake a southern route. France has established itself as a key player in green technology, defense sales, and soft power.
Critically, the initiative tests Macron’s vision of a “multilateral Africa”, where Paris amplifies African voices in global forums. Visits to Egypt and Ethiopia extend this, leveraging Cairo’s diplomatic heft and Addis Ababa’s AU headquarters for continent-wide impact. As anti-French waves subside in the East, opportunities for cultural diplomacy—via language programs and artist exchanges—bolster economic gains. French media portray the tour as a “legacy cement,” with Bloomberg noting new alliances amid fraying colonial ties.
Implications for France-Africa Relations
Looking ahead, Macron’s East Africa tour could herald a sustainable model for France’s continental engagement, blending humility with ambition. By prioritizing East African hubs, Paris hedges against West African losses, fostering diversified ties resilient to populist backlash. Economic metrics will gauge success: increased FDI, joint ventures, and trade surpluses signal viability. Security pacts, if ratified widely, would stabilize France’s role without overreach. Yet, enduring anti-French undercurrents demand vigilance—social media amplifies grievances, and rivals lurk.
