Accompanied by a group of French business leaders in his just-concluded maiden trip to Kenya the French President Macron passionately implored for deeper engagement of French businesses in the region. Denouncing China-Africa ties, he sought to strategically position his country to boost economic and political ties. France is the 17th largest trading partner with Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta and President Macron underlined the need for the two countries to raise business ties in areas security infrastructure, education, environment, energy and petroleum and creative deals. He assured French support France on green energy. He appreciated Kenya’s achievement in making renewable energy 75 percent of its energy mix. Prior to the arrival of the French President, Air France announced an additional two flights to the Nairobi -Paris route. Other significant French brands in Kenya include Danone Alcatel, Total oil, Alstom Grid, Sanofi, Ballore, L’Oreal East Africa, Fairmont and Siemens etc. The climax of the visit was the unveiling of a locally assembled French motor manufacturer Peugeot 3008 SUV.
Mr Macron and Mr Kenyatta signed deals worth over Sh300billion. The two sides signed infrastructure deals worth sh 250 million. One major deal was to construct a commuter rail from the central business district to the main international airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi to decongest the capital and to improve transport systems. The deals include a 1.6 billion euro 30-year concession for a Vinci-led consortium to operate a highway between Nairobi and Mau Summit in Western Kenya. French Renewables company Voltalia signed a 70 million euro agreement for two solar power plants, while an Airbus-led consortium won a 200 million euro contract for coastal and maritime surveillance among others.
