African leaders gathering in Nairobi this week are using the Africa Forward Summit to push for a major rethink of how global investors and credit agencies assess risk on the continent, arguing that outdated perceptions are blocking investment and slowing Africa’s AI and infrastructure ambitions.
The two day summit, co hosted by Kenyan President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron, has drawn delegations from more than 30 African countries alongside global financiers, technology firms and development institutions. The event is focused heavily on investment, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and financing reform.
A central issue dominating discussions is the high cost of borrowing faced by African nations and businesses. African leaders argue that global financial markets consistently overstate the continent’s risk profile, resulting in higher interest rates and reduced capital flows even when economic fundamentals compare favorably with other emerging regions.
Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi said Africa has long been unfairly treated as a high risk destination by global credit systems, making financing more expensive for governments and private businesses alike. He argued that recent global conflicts outside Africa have exposed flaws in how risk is assessed internationally.
The debate is becoming increasingly important as African countries attempt to attract billions of dollars in investment for AI infrastructure, clean energy, digital connectivity and industrial development. Many governments believe current credit models discourage long term investment despite growing demand for technology and digital services across the continent.
Artificial intelligence has emerged as one of the summit’s key themes. Macron said Africa and Europe should work together to build technological and strategic independence rather than relying entirely on systems developed in the United States or China. The summit has featured discussions on AI innovation, digital transformation and technology partnerships aimed at accelerating Africa’s role in the global digital economy.
Several major investment deals have also been announced alongside the summit. French shipping giant CMA CGM unveiled plans to invest about $823 million to modernize a terminal at the port of Mombasa in Kenya. Additional agreements linked to clean energy, AI and infrastructure are expected to follow.
The summit reflects France’s broader attempt to rebuild its influence in Africa after years of diplomatic setbacks in parts of West Africa where anti French sentiment has grown. Unlike previous France Africa summits focused heavily on security and state relations, the Nairobi meeting has placed greater emphasis on private investment, entrepreneurship, technology and innovation.
African officials hope the summit’s outcomes will influence wider global financial discussions ahead of the upcoming G7 meeting chaired by France. Leaders are pushing for reforms that would make financing more accessible to African economies while supporting job creation, industrial growth and digital expansion.
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Emmanuel Abara Benson is a business journalist and editor covering artificial intelligence, global markets, and emerging technology.
He has previously worked with Business Insider Africa and Nairametrics, reporting on finance, startups, and innovation.
His work focuses on AI, digital economy, and global tech trends.
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