Business leaders and financial sector players from Kenya and France have called for stronger cooperation to increase investment, expand trade and support long-term economic growth between the two countries.
The discussions took place at the Equity Bank Kenya headquarters in Nairobi during a forum held alongside the Africa Forward Summit.
The meeting brought together investors, financiers and institutional partners to discuss business opportunities, financing solutions and ways of strengthening cross-border partnerships.
Speaking during the session, Moses Nyabanda, Managing Director of Equity Bank Kenya, said Africa continues to offer strong growth and investment potential.
“Africa is now truly bankable, and we’ve played our part; we’ll continue to do that. The market that we offer you is at least 350 million consumers, and if you look at the trend of GDP per capita across the regions that we are looking at, it is the place to be,” he said.
Mr Nyabanda said Kenya remains strategically placed as an entry point for investors seeking access to East Africa and other regional markets.
“Kenya provides a fantastic gateway to not only the six markets that we have, but the wider East Africa region. And that’s why we are here, for that conversation of how do we bring Kenyan businesses to align to our partners from France, how are we able to catalyse that? As Equity, we’ve passionately done that. We are looking at how to unlock a value that sits within Africa, which is immense,” he said.
The discussions also focused on financing models that can support partnerships between Kenyan and French businesses, including loans, guarantees and risk-sharing arrangements.
Martin Heslouin, Executive Director of the Council of Bpifrance, said the institution has expanded programmes aimed at linking African companies with French investors and suppliers.
“We have specific programmes for Africa. For a few years, we are bringing companies to Africa, and this is very important. And this is linked to our export business, where our core mission now for the team… is to connect Kenyan businesses and African businesses to French suppliers and French solutions, so that here you can grow the business of Kenyan companies, and you can get some guarantees or some loans to secure all the transactions,” he said.
Mr Heslouin added that the institution also provides advisory services, financing support and warranties to help businesses manage risks and grow investments.
During the forum, Gerard Wolf, Vice President of the Africa Committee of MEDEF International, urged stakeholders to prioritise practical projects capable of attracting sustainable investment.
“We have to be more practical and more pushy… the representative of the European Union was at this banquet, he’s ready if he has good projects. And good projects are projects related to ecological transition, related to a better life, related to training the people,” he said.
Mr Wolf said French investors are increasingly interested in long-term opportunities in infrastructure, skills development and green investment.
“The French private sector is already here, not only finding the wine for the state dinner, but we are here for infrastructure, we are here for long-term commitments, for long-term investment. We need, with you, to find the right way to de-risk part of it.But what we can give is that Team France will bring people who will not be here just to make a coup, but to build long-term partnerships,” he added.
The meeting ended with calls for closer collaboration between businesses and financial institutions from both countries to expand investment opportunities and support sustainable economic development.
