Kenya, France sign 11 agreements during Macron visit
Presidents William Ruto and Emmanuel Macron signed 11 agreements at State House in Nairobi on Sunday to deepen cooperation on energy, transport and digital infrastructure, as the French leader arrived in Kenya for the Africa Forward Summit bringing together African leaders and global investors.
Kenyan President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron signed 11 bilateral agreements at State House in Nairobi on Sunday, establishing a comprehensive framework for cooperation on electricity infrastructure, urban rail modernization, sustainable fuels and national digital connectivity projects.
Infrastructure and energy cooperation
The agreements include construction of a new National Electricity Control Center to stabilize national power distribution and modernization of signaling systems for Nairobi’s U-20 commuter train to ease chronic urban congestion. French technical assistance will also extend to renovation of the Masinga Dam, cooperation on sustainable fuel initiatives, and large-scale deployment of fiber-optic networks along a national digital highway spanning multiple counties. Macron stated that these projects aim to deliver "less expensive and more reliable access to energy" while significantly improving public service delivery across Kenya.
Strait of Hormuz and diplomatic ties
Ruto described bilateral relations as longstanding and strategically vital, noting that France has maintained continuous partnership with Kenya since independence. The two leaders also examined rising global fuel costs linked to ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, with Ruto noting that he had consulted counterparts from Sierra Leone and Senegal on the crisis and that oil prices have surged between 20% to 30%. "You can count on our partnership," Ruto told Macron during a joint media briefing at State House.
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Africa Forward Summit
Macron is scheduled to open the Africa Forward Summit on Monday, a high-level forum convening African heads of state, international investors and business executives to discuss trade expansion and sustainable economic partnerships across the continent. The French president’s three-day visit marks a renewed diplomatic push by Paris to strengthen commercial and security ties with African nations amid shifting geopolitical alignments and growing competition from other global powers. Ruto has recently positioned Kenya as a regional hub for digital infrastructure innovation and green energy transition projects.
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