French President Emmanuel Macron has declared that France no longer considers Africa its backyard, saying the country now wants relationships with African nations based on mutual respect and shared interests.
Speaking in Kenya on May 10, 2026, at the beginning of his African tour, Macron admitted that in the past, many French investors believed they had automatic advantages in Francophone African countries because of historical and language ties.
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Macron Rejects Old French Influence in Africa
Macron said:“This is a continent I no longer want France to see as its backyard, where investors believe they have full rights or expect deals simply because countries speak French,”
He explained that since taking office in 2017, France has worked to distance itself from the long-standing perception that it could influence or control political leadership in African countries. According to Macron, French businesses have also faced increasing competition in Francophone markets, reducing their dominance in the region.
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Focus on Equal Partnerships
Macron emphasized that France now supports balanced cooperation that respects the sovereignty and independence of African nations. Referring to the military coups in Mali in 2020 and 2021, which eventually led to the withdrawal of French troops, he said France could not continue providing assistance where it was no longer welcomed or needed.
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African Tour Comes Amid Diplomatic Tensions
The French leader is expected to visit Egypt, Kenya, and Ethiopia during his tour and will also attend a partnership summit in Nairobi on May 11–12.
His visit comes at a time when relations between France and several of its former colonies, especially in the Sahel region, remain tense following political instability and growing anti-French sentiment in parts of Africa.
