The relationship between France and Africa is entering a new phase, driven by rapid global changes and the continent's evolving economic and technological landscape. As the world accelerates its digital and technological transitions, Africa is also transforming, with changing power dynamics in energy, food security, climate, industry, and artificial intelligence. The societies expect more from international relations, seeking opportunities, investments, jobs, and tangible results.
French-African relations can no longer rely solely on traditional cooperation methods, but must focus on building common capacities for action, production, innovation, and investment. This new approach prioritizes economic, industrial, technological, and educational aspects, with a focus on human capital investment. The goal is to move from a cooperation mindset to one of capability, enabling partners to undertake, produce, and invest with complementary capacities.
A modern relationship is measured by its concrete outcomes, such as created enterprises, infrastructure, research centers, industrial projects, technologies, skills, and jobs. Autonomy is key, with each partner having the means to act, produce, and invest. This requires evolving the instruments of cooperation, shifting from financing to investing, technology transfer to local appropriation and development, and training to innovation and entrepreneurship.
The health, energy, agriculture, pharmaceutical, digital, and financial sectors offer opportunities for collaboration, bringing together businesses, universities, research centers, and investors to create local value and internationally competitive projects. Territorial partnerships can drive this change, with local governments and cities at the forefront of addressing pressing challenges like water, energy, mobility, and economic development.
Decentralized cooperation can be scaled up, focusing on productive partnerships, innovation, and investment between French and African cities and regions. These partnerships can serve as laboratories for common solutions, such as modernizing administrations, digitalizing public services, and promoting entrepreneurship. This approach can make the relationship more concrete, moving beyond state-level exchanges.
African diasporas in France and French nationals with ties to the continent play a vital role in bridging the two sides. These individuals possess skills, networks, and understanding of economic environments, facilitating investments, projects, and innovation ecosystems. The mobility of skills, recognition of qualifications, and joint incubators can support economic instruments.
The next generation of French-African relations will depend on connecting researchers, start-ups, entrepreneurs, and investors to create common value chains. France must demonstrate its value proposition, leveraging its geographic proximity, human connections, and high-quality enterprises, universities, and research centers. The Francophonie can regain its strategic importance as a space for studying, researching, and innovating.
Key points
- France and African nations are shifting focus from traditional aid to economic, technological, and investment-driven partnerships.
- Territorial partnerships and decentralized cooperation can drive change in French-African relations.
- The diaspora and youth can play a vital role in bridging the two sides and driving innovation.
