Kenyan President William Ruto has praised France as one of his nation’s closest and most strategic partners, underscoring the strengthening bilateral relationship in an era increasingly defined by global cooperation and multilateralism.
Speaking from Seville, Spain, on the margins of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), President Ruto met with French President Emmanuel Macron to reaffirm Nairobi’s dedication to fostering closer diplomatic and economic ties with Paris.
“President Emmanuel Macron has reiterated his support for our multilateral partnership, particularly through the reform of the international financial system, including initiatives such as the Compact for Prosperity, People and Planet, which we co-chaired,” Ruto stated in a message shared on his official Facebook page.
The Kenyan leader emphasized the significance of this evolving partnership, particularly in light of shared priorities on global economic reform, sustainable development, and climate action.
France and Kenya have in recent years expanded their cooperation across sectors including infrastructure, clean energy, education, and health.
Ruto’s meeting with Macron comes at a crucial moment, as both nations prepare for the upcoming France-Africa summit, set to be hosted in Nairobi next year.
The event is expected to mark a new chapter in France’s engagement with the African continent, with Kenya positioned as a key diplomatic and economic gateway.
President Ruto signaled that Kenya’s rapprochement with France will continue to accelerate, driven by a shared vision of inclusive growth, innovation, and a just international order.
His remarks in Seville highlighted a broader commitment to reshaping the global financial architecture to better reflect the aspirations and challenges of the Global South.
With momentum building ahead of the Nairobi summit, both leaders are keen to translate their dialogue into actionable partnerships—anchored in mutual respect and a common commitment to multilateral progress.
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