Emmanuel Macron’s growing outreach to Kenya and President William Ruto comes at a time when France is openly acknowledging that its influence in Africa has weakened significantly over the past two decades, with countries across the continent increasingly turning toward China, Türkiye, the United States, Russia, and Gulf powers for investment, security, and strategic partnerships. After facing military expulsions, rising anti-French sentiment, and criticism of its colonial-era policies in several African nations, Paris is now trying to reinvent its role through investment, trade, and what Macron calls “equal partnerships” rather than traditional aid and military influence. With African countries also becoming more assertive about sovereignty and economic independence, is France now entering its most difficult phase in Africa since the post-colonial era ?

Review - DEKHO