NAIROBI: Emmanuel Macron has described Africa as the world’s youngest and fastest-growing continent, stressing that stronger investments are needed to boost the region’s sovereignty and unlock opportunities for its rapidly expanding population.
Speaking at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, the French president said the continent’s youthful demographic presents a major advantage, but only if governments and international partners invest strategically in infrastructure, education and innovation.
The summit, jointly organised by France and Kenya, brought together over 2,000 African and European business leaders, investors and policymakers to explore deeper economic partnerships.
Macron said the forum opened with conversations with African youths, whose ideas and ambitions, he noted, demonstrate the continent’s growing role in shaping the future global economy.
He said Africa and Europe face similar challenges in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital payment systems, cultural industries and technology, noting that both regions still depend heavily on global powers like the United States and China for innovation and technological solutions.
According to Macron, stronger cooperation between Africa and Europe could help both continents build strategic autonomy and reduce their reliance on external powers.
He also emphasised the need for joint investments in energy and infrastructure, saying sustainable development on the continent would require expansion of renewable and nuclear power to support homes, industries and businesses.
The French leader further highlighted talent retention as a key challenge, warning that many young skilled Africans leave the continent in search of better opportunities abroad.
To address this, he announced that Orange would establish 50 digital centres across Africa to train one million young people by 2030, while France would also deepen partnerships with African universities and expand digital training programmes.
Macron said initiatives such as Digital Africa and financing support from Proparco would help accelerate youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and inclusive growth across the continent.
Do you think Africa’s youthful population is being fully harnessed for development, or are governments still failing to create enough opportunities? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
