French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto on Monday unveiled fresh partnerships focused on arts and sports while stressing the importance of combining Africa’s youthful workforce with France’s technological expertise to drive economic growth.
The two leaders engaged with students at the University of Nairobi during the opening day of the Africa Forward Summit and also met leading African athletes and creative industry figures.
Macron noted that many of the world’s leading technological solutions currently originate from the United States and China, but argued that closer cooperation between Africa and Europe could produce stronger innovations.
He said Europe and Africa share a common goal of building strategic independence through investment and added that both regions would become stronger if they worked together.
Ruto highlighted Africa’s young and entrepreneurial population as a key force for future technological progress and encouraged greater international collaboration.
Addressing participants at the event, the Kenyan president stated that Africa possesses skilled young people capable of driving innovation.
He added that the continent also has improving internet infrastructure and a highly entrepreneurial population, stressing that technology will define the future and should remain a major focus for countries worldwide.