Written by: Hussein Ahmed

Confirmed Kenya France and France are determined to strengthen the bilateral partnership between the two countries, in a move that reflects the growing diplomatic relations and joint cooperation since the establishment of official relations between them in 1963.

Kenyan President William Ruto said that relations between Nairobi and Paris are witnessing continuous development in multiple areas that serve the interests of both peoples, noting that Kenya’s hosting of the Africa Forward Summit represents an important milestone in the path of cooperation between the two countries.

He explained that choosing Kenya to host the summit for the first time outside a French-speaking country is a clear confirmation of the growing strength of relations between the two countries, and reflects the trend towards building a more balanced, practical and focused partnership on achieving tangible results.

Kenyan-French cooperation to modernize infrastructure and ports and produce sustainable fuel

During talks held at the Kenyan presidential headquarters in the capital, Nairobi, the Kenyan president held discussions with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, where the two sides witnessed the signing of 11 agreements and memoranda of understanding between the two countries in a number of strategic sectors.

The agreements included projects to modernize the railway line linking Nairobi Central Station and the Embakassi area as part of the Line 5 project, along with cooperation in promoting Kenya's premium purple tea, developing the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and the Masinga Dam development project.

Areas of cooperation also included upgrading meteorological services, producing sustainable aviation fuel, digital transformation, expanding the capacity of container terminals at Kenyan ports, as well as supporting the blue economy and the fisheries sector.

These agreements come within the framework of the two countries’ efforts to enhance economic and development cooperation, and to expand investment partnerships in vital sectors, in order to support sustainable development plans in Kenya and strengthen the French presence in East Africa.

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, after concluding a two-day visit to Egypt during which he participated in the opening of the new headquarters of Senghor University, in addition to a tourist tour during which he visited the city of Alexandria.

The French president arrives in the Kenyan capital to participate in the Africa summit.

Kenyan President William Ruto received French President Emmanuel Macron in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, ahead of the start of the Africa Summit, which is being attended by a large number of African leaders.