French President Emmanuel Macron found himself at the center of controversy after he interrupted a session aimed at young audiences during the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi on Monday. His actions came after he criticized the attendees for making noise and labeled the disruption as “a total lack of respect.”
Footage from the summit captured the moment Macron stood up and approached the stage during the “Africa Forward: Creation in Motion” panel. This session was dedicated to discussions by artists and young entrepreneurs on culture and innovation.
Addressing the crowd, Macron said, “Excuse me, everybody. Hey, hey, hey. I’m sorry, guys. But it’s impossible to speak about culture with such noise when we have people here who are incredibly inspired and delivering speeches.”
He went on to say, “This is a total lack of respect. If you wish to have private discussions or talk about other topics, I suggest using the bilateral rooms or stepping outside. Otherwise, if you choose to stay, let’s listen respectfully to those speaking and play by the same rules.”
An image shows French President Emmanuel Macron pausing a session at the Africa Forward Summit in Kenya. (Reuters)
Macron was immediately criticized for his uninvited remarks on social media. A former member of Parliament from Zimbabwe, Fadzayi Mahere, called the French leader out on X. “Respectfully @EmmanuelMacron I don’t believe that it’s courteous or appropriate for you to come onto our Continent and talk down at people like this. They are not your kids. Don’t be condescending. Imagine if a guest of the state did the same in your country? Would it fly? I don’t think so.”
Another post from a Kenyan-Canadian lawyer with 3.1 million followers announced, “Africans don’t need @EmmanuelMacron’s permission to speak in Africa,” said Dr. Miguna Miguna, who in January announced he was running for the Kenyan presidency in 2027, according to local reports.
A report published Monday by Modern Ghana, the interruption carried a symbolic irony, as Macron had traveled to Kenya to promote what Paris describes as a more equal and respectful partnership with African nations, moving away from what critics have long viewed as a paternalistic post-colonial model.
The incident took place during the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, where more than 30 African leaders, business executives and young entrepreneurs gathered for discussions focused on economic development, innovation and cooperation between Africa and Europe.
Kenya’s Standard Media reported that the exchange “cast an unusual shadow” over the summit, noting that some civil society groups characterized the two-day summit as a “reengineering of imperialism.”
The moment underscored the balancing act facing Macron as France attempts to redefine its relationship with Africa following years of political tensions and military withdrawals from several West African countries.
French President Emmanuel Macron, arrives at the White House, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, in Washington. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo)
Earlier Monday, Macron told students at the University of Nairobi that “Africa is succeeding” and argued the continent needs investment to strengthen its sovereignty rather than dependence on development aid, according to Modern Ghana’s report by Mustapha Bature Sallama. The report also noted Macron acknowledged France’s own financial constraints during the remarks.
Macron has increasingly emphasized partnerships with African youth, entrepreneurs and cultural leaders as Paris recalibrates its Africa strategy amid growing competition from Russia, China and Turkey for influence across the continent.