French-African Summit Reviews Finance Reform, Security

African and French leaders convened in Nairobi on Tuesday for the French-African Summit, with discussions focusing on reforming the international financial system, regional security challenges and strengthening economic partnerships across the continent.

The opening session of the summit concluded earlier in the day, while leaders continued talks through a working session dedicated to reforming the global financial architecture and international financial institutions. The session included Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, French President Emmanuel Macron and a number of African heads of state and government.

The summit agenda also includes specialized sessions on peace and security issues in Africa, particularly challenges facing the Horn of Africa and the Sahel region, amid growing concerns over armed conflicts, terrorism and political instability.

Participants are also discussing sustainable development, investment opportunities, renewable energy, digital transformation and ways to expand cooperation in emerging sectors across the continent.

African and French delegations are seeking to strengthen economic partnerships and facilitate the transfer of expertise to support startups, industrial projects and the blue economy, according to discussions taking place on the sidelines of the summit.

Kenyan and French officials stressed the importance of developing partnership models that move beyond traditional financing frameworks toward broader development cooperation aimed at supporting long-term economic growth and regional stability.

The summit comes as African countries push for greater representation in global financial institutions and seek increased international support to address mounting economic and security challenges.