Anti-France protests broke out in Nairobi during the ongoing Africa Forward Summit attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and more than 30 African leaders.
According to reports, protesters attempted to march toward the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC), accusing France of continued political and economic interference in African affairs. Kenyan police responded with teargas and heavy security deployment to disperse the crowd, while several activists and foreign nationals were arrested.
The demonstrations came amid growing anti-French sentiment in parts of Africa, especially following France’s strained relations with some West African countries. Protesters reportedly carried placards condemning “French imperialism” and demanding greater African sovereignty.
At the summit, Macron announced about €23 billion in investments for African sectors such as energy, agriculture, and artificial intelligence, insisting France seeks a “partnership of equals” with African nations. Kenyan President William Ruto also stressed that Africa’s relationship with Europe should be based on mutual respect rather than dependency.
The protests added fresh tension to Macron’s African diplomatic tour as France continues efforts to rebuild its influence across the continent amid increasing resistance from sections of African civil society.
Adeboje Lukman