French President Emmanuel Macron has called for stronger investment partnerships in Africa, saying the continent needs economic opportunities rather than dependence on aid.

Speaking at the University of Nairobi during the Africa-France summit in Kenya,said Africa required increased investment to become “more sovereign”, stressing that old approaches by European leaders were no longer suitable.

According to Channels Television, theleader said European governments previously lectured African nations on development priorities, but acknowledged that such rhetoric no longer reflected Africa’s expectations.

“This is no longer what Africa needs or wants to hear,” Macron said while speaking in French.

The summit in Nairobi forms part of France’s renewed diplomatic and economic engagement with African nations after years of strained relations with some former colonies.

Macron also defended Europe’s role on the continent, arguing that European nations were not “the predators of this century”. He contrasted Europe’s approach with the growing rivalry between the United States and China, which he accused of disregarding international trade rules.

The French president criticised China’s handling of critical minerals and rare earth resources, claiming Beijing’s policies created global dependencies by concentrating processing activities at home.

He said Europe instead supported a “strategy of autonomy” aimed at strengthening both African and European economies through investment and partnerships.

Macron further called for reforms to international finance systems to encourage more private sector investment in Africa through financial guarantees and improved funding mechanisms.

The Channels Television report noted that Macron also addressed France’s military withdrawals from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger following coups in those countries between 2020 and 2023.

He maintained that France’s presence in the Sahel had originally been requested to help combat jihadist threats and insisted the troop withdrawals were a “logical response” once local authorities no longer wanted French support.

Macron expressed optimism that the Sahel region would eventually return to democratic governance led by elected leaders focused on citizens’ welfare.

The summit also featured bilateral agreements between France and Kenya, including cooperation on nuclear energy.