France Emphasizes Youth and Innovation Ahead of Nairobi Africa Summit

African outlets frame the Nairobi summit as a test of whether France will accept genuinely new rules in its dealings with the continent. They stress that leaders like Kenya’s William Ruto and Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu want investment, technology and jobs without political interference or one-sided contracts. Many expect tough bargaining over debt, local content and control of key infrastructure before any long-term partnership deepens.

• •Kenyan officials are using the summit to secure financing and technology for rail, ports and energy while insisting on better terms than past deals.
• •African commentators argue that France must drop paternalistic attitudes and accept Africa as an equal partner.
• •Nigeria’s participation under President Bola Tinubu is portrayed as a sign that big African economies want to shape, not just receive, French proposals.
• •Editorials call for the Nairobi summit to produce concrete commitments on fair taxation, local jobs and technology transfer.
• •African media warn that if France does not change its approach, governments will keep turning to other partners such as China, the Gulf states and Turkey.