French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto concluded the Africa Forward Summit, during which Macron unveiled 23 billion euros ($27 billion) in new private sector investment pledges from French and African companies in Africa and called for reforms to the international financial architecture, alongside around 30 African heads of state and governments, Jeune Afrique reported on May 12. Following the summit, Macron traveled to Ethiopia with a delegation of business leaders, during which he is due to meet Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Macron and Ruto convened the Africa Forward summit on May 11-12. France's state-backed Agence Francaise de Developpement provides financial support to French companies looking to expand their footprint on the African continent.