Paris is struggling to rebuild trust among African young population that increasingly associates France with decades of interference and unequal partnership The Africa Forward summit held in Nairobi, Kenya on May 11-12, 2026 was intended to mark a new era in French-African relations. Addressing an audience of African leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, diplomats, and members of civil society, French President Emmanuel Macron attempted to present France as a partner ready to move beyond the legacy of ‘Francafrique’ and embrace a relationship based on sovereignty, mutual respect, innovation, and economic cooperation. However, beyond the carefully crafted diplomatic language and investment announcements, the summit revealed something far more significant: The depth of the growing credibility crisis facing France across large parts of Africa.…