Emmanuel Macron addresses participants at the Africa Forward summit in Nairobi, Kenya, May 12, 2026. MONICAH MWANGI / REUTERS
Nigeria's business heavyweights drew all the attention in the front row of the main stage at the Franco-African Africa Forward Summit 2026, which focused on economic partnerships on Monday, May 11. In front of Aliko Dangote, head of the eponymous conglomerate and Africa's richest man, and Abdul Samad Rabiu, billionaire and leader of the BUA Group, hands were reaching out, heads bowed, with some even daring to ask for a selfie.
On stage and for about 10 minutes each, African and many French business leaders took turns pitching their confidence in the continent's enormous economic potential, holding up these star entrepreneurs as examples of those who have seized the opportunity.
In Nairobi, the vibrant economic capital of English-speaking East Africa, France set out to make clear its intention to invest. "Africa is succeeding," and "it needs investment to become more sovereign," insisted Emmanuel Macron.
During this event, which brought together over 6,000 participants from 40 countries, the French president announced €23 billion in investments – €14 billion, public and private, from France to Africa, and €9 billion between African entities. In contrast to sluggish European growth, sub-Saharan Africa posted an average GDP increase of 4.1% in 2025, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with some countries surpassing 7%.
