Greetings to all! This week, the African continent witnessed significant political and economic developments. Here’s a summary of the top five stories:
- Emmanuel Macron’s Africa Forward summit and policy declarations.
- The Africa CEO Forum urged the African private sector to expand its influence.
- Cameroon’s enduring silence on the vice-presidency, fueling speculation among contenders.
- Sénégal’s constitutional reform, poised to primarily benefit Ousmane Sonko.
- Insights into Philippe Lalliot, France’s new ambassador to Morocco.
1. Emmanuel Macron concludes over a decade of African policy in Nairobi
Key Takeaway: Before the Africa Forward summit in Nairobi (May 11-12), Emmanuel Macron articulated a clear shift in France’s African policy. He asserted that public development aid, as a concept, is obsolete. “We are no longer operating within an aid framework,” he declared, advocating instead for “solidarity investment.” This message was directly aimed at private markets, which face challenges from unfavorable credit ratings and what is perceived as excessive risk assessment.
Event Highlights: The summit, notably the first in the Franco-African series held outside West Africa, convened approximately thirty heads of state in Nairobi, with Kenyan President William Ruto co-hosting. Macron announced investment pledges totaling 23 billion euros, with 14 billion euros originating from France (encompassing both public and private sectors). Proparco, the private sector arm of the AFD, committed 500 million euros, nearly half of its annual African allocation, in a single day.
A Fundamental Shift: The French President swiftly addressed the Sahel issue, stating “no offense,” yet the selection of Nairobi as the venue speaks volumes. Following diplomatic ruptures with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, Paris is strategically reorienting towards Anglophone East Africa. This move benefits President Ruto ahead of Kenya’s presidential elections next year, while Macron seeks a credible ally to champion the reform of the international financial architecture at the G7 summit in June.
The Numbers: Official development assistance from OECD countries has plummeted by over a third in two years. France, specifically, reduced its allocation by approximately 2 billion euros. Macron aims to fill this void with private capital, a strategy whose tangible outcomes are still awaited.
2. “We must no longer wait to be swindled”: Africa CEO Forum challenges African private sector to scale up
Key Information: The 13th Africa CEO Forum commenced on Thursday in Kigali, under the compelling theme of “scale or fail.” Addressing 2,800 decision-makers and eight heads of state, the message was unequivocal: Africa’s national markets are too fragmented, intra-African trade remains insufficient, and the continent must cease its disunited approach.
Why It Matters: The challenge is structural. Without continental champions capable of asserting global influence, Africa risks remaining an exporter of potential—minerals, talent, capital—rather than capturing their inherent value. Eight years after its launch, the AfCFTA project remains incomplete, plagued by persistent regulatory barriers, high logistical costs, and still-marginal intra-African exchanges.
Notable Quote: Rwandan President Paul Kagame stated, “On one hand, they lecture us on human rights, and on the other, they come to take our minerals. We must no longer wait to be swindled.”
3. Paul Biya’s vice-presidency: a prolonged silence and an expanding list of hopefuls
Key Takeaway: Cameroon’s decree re-establishing the vice-presidency has been promulgated, yet the position remains vacant. In Yaoundé, speculation is rife, as reported by Yves Plumey Bobo. The list of potential candidates, including Paul Atanga Nji, Louis-Paul Motaze, Philémon Yang, and Oswald Baboké, grows longer as President Paul Biya delays his decision.
The Stalemate: Franck Biya, the President’s son, was expected to be appointed shortly after the April decree. His inaugural official duty was slated to be welcoming Pope Leo XIV, with a communiqué prepared for broadcast on CRTV. However, it was never released. Sources indicate that Chantal Biya intervened at the last moment, preferring to promote her own son, Franck Hertz. Behind the changing list of names, the ongoing succession struggle for the presidency unfolds backstage.
4. In Sénégal, why constitutional reform primarily benefits Ousmane Sonko
Key Information: A preliminary draft of constitutional amendments, released on April 27, is set to reconfigure power dynamics within the Senegalese executive, largely favoring Ousmane Sonko, as analyzed by Mehdi Ba. Two pivotal changes include: the President will now determine national policy “in consultation” with the Prime Minister, and the Prime Minister will gain an independent right to refer matters to the future Constitutional Court, separate from presidential consent. Crucially, President Faye would be prohibited from leading a political party or campaigning, while Sonko would retain full autonomy to head Pastef.
Why It Matters: The institutional risk is considerable. Article 49 remains unaltered, meaning President Faye could still dismiss Prime Minister Sonko at any moment. However, if the evident tensions between the two men, which have been growing for months, were to escalate to such a scenario, Sénégal would face an unprecedented cohabitation: a constitutionally strengthened leader of the parliamentary majority, forced into opposition from the prime minister’s office.
5. Introducing Philippe Lalliot, France’s new ambassador to Morocco
Macron’s Selection: Philippe Lalliot, 60, is set to succeed Christophe Lecourtier as France’s ambassador to Morocco—a decision personally made by President Macron. Jassim Ahdani provides a profile: a career diplomat from the Quai d’Orsay, currently serving as director of the Crisis and Support Center (CDCS), he brings a crisis management background rather than a political one, aligning with France’s evolving approach towards Rabat.
Dual Stakes: Lalliot inherits a bilateral relationship that is warming but still incomplete—a friendship treaty remains under negotiation, and King Mohammed VI’s state visit to France lacks an official date. This is set against a substantial economic foundation: France accounts for nearly 30% of total foreign direct investment stock in Morocco. Paris aims to accelerate progress, while Rabat proceeds deliberately, step by step.
