Kenya's President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron walk next to a stuffed lioness at the State House, during Macron's state visit, in Nairobi, Kenya May 10, 2026. MONICAH MWANGI / REUTERS
President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday, May 10, met with his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto in Nairobi as part of an African visit aimed at renewing France's engagement with the continent after years of strained ties with former colonies.
Macron is to co-host a two-day summit starting on Monday, bringing together African leaders and business executives, as he seeks to cement his legacy one year before the end of his term. The meeting will focus on economic development and cross-border investment, among other themes, the French presidency said, stressing that it will be the first such forum held in an English-speaking country.
Macron arrived in English-speaking Kenya from Egypt and is also due to travel to Ethiopia as part of his Africa tour.
Anti-French sentiment runs high in some former African colonies as the continent becomes a renewed diplomatic battleground, with Russian and Chinese influence growing.
