Macron: France outpaced in Africa by China, Türkiye, US

French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged on Tuesday that France has lost significant ground in Africa to competitors including China, Türkiye and the United States, attributing the decline to decades of institutional complacency and corporate arrogance. Addressing the closing session of the “Africa Forward” business forum, Macron stated that French companies and administrations had relied too heavily on historical ties and failed to remain competitive in African markets.

“They believed there was a reserved sphere where being French meant everything was automatically open,” he said, describing the past 25 years of change as “normal” and even positive. Macron noted that African nations were making rational economic choices by turning to more competitive partners, highlighting the growing presence of Beijing and Ankara across the continent.

Paris urged to abandon 'vertical logic'

Macron called for a “conceptual revolution” in France's Africa policy, urging Paris to abandon what he termed a “vertical logic” of aid provision in favor of relationships built on equality and genuine partnership. The French president said the new approach should focus on “co-investing, co-producing and co-inventing” with African nations rather than maintaining traditional donor-recipient dynamics.

He also highlighted Africa's strong economic potential, noting that continental growth has outpaced Southeast Asia in recent years. The business forum concluded with Macron emphasizing that France must adapt to a landscape where historical connections no longer guarantee economic access.