Kenya and France have renewed their partnership in advancing climate action and regional peace, with French President Emmanuel Macron emphasizing a united vision with President William Ruto ahead of the 2026 Africa-France Summit set to be held in Nairobi.
Speaking at a high-level global cooperation forum in Seville, Spain, President Macron highlighted a shared ambition between the two nations to ensure that sustainable development and environmental protection go hand in hand. He underlined that countries should not be forced to choose between economic growth and environmental stewardship.
“With President William Ruto, we share a common commitment: that no country should have to choose between development and protecting the planet,” Macron said. “This is the ambition we are bringing today to Seville with our partners, as part of the Pact for Prosperity, People and the Planet launched two years ago in Paris.”
The upcoming 2026 Africa-France Summit, co-chaired by Kenya and France, is expected to focus on building innovative partnerships that accelerate Africa’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with particular emphasis on inclusive economic growth, climate resilience, and green technologies.
President Macron further underscored ongoing bilateral cooperation between the two countries, citing key projects in energy transition, sustainable transport infrastructure, and agricultural innovation. These projects are designed to showcase pragmatic collaboration that supports long-term, climate-resilient development.
Beyond environmental and economic ties, Macron and Ruto also reaffirmed their joint commitment to peace and security across Africa. Both leaders emphasized the importance of stabilizing conflict-prone regions such as the Great Lakes, Sudan, and Somalia.
“We reaffirmed our shared commitment to peace and security in the Great Lakes region, Sudan, and Somalia,” said Macron. He noted that both countries are playing a crucial role in promoting regional stability through diplomacy and development aid.
The strengthened Kenya-France alliance reflects a broader trend of strategic partnerships aimed at integrating climate action with security and economic progress. As preparations for the Nairobi summit gather momentum, the two nations are positioning themselves as key advocates for a more sustainable and secure future for Africa and beyond.
