France Shifts Africa Strategy Toward East as Military Cooperation with Kenya Expands

Kigali, April 10, 2026 - France is reportedly reorienting its Africa strategy toward East Africa, following a series of military withdrawals and diplomatic setbacks in West Africa.

According to reports, the French government has strengthened military cooperation with Kenya, including plans for joint exercises and expanded security coordination. The move comes as several West African states have reduced or ended French military presence in recent years.

French President Emmanuel Macron has invited Kenyan President William Ruto to the upcoming G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains in June 2026, signaling closer diplomatic engagement between Paris and Nairobi.

Kenya is also expected to host the France-Africa summit on May 11-12, 2026, marking the first time the event will take place outside the traditional Francophone sphere. The summit is expected to focus on investment, trade, and security cooperation.

Reports indicate that Kenya’s parliament is reviewing a bilateral military cooperation agreement that would formalize joint training and defense collaboration between the two countries.

The shift follows the withdrawal of French forces from several West and Central African countries, including Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where governments have cited dissatisfaction with France’s counterterrorism role.

Analysts suggest that France’s renewed engagement with East Africa reflects a broader strategic repositioning, as other global powers-including Russia, China, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States-continue to expand their influence across the African continent.