Africa-France Summit: ‘Less about assistance and more about investment’

The Africa-France Summit kicks off in Montpellier, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, with a focus on youth, entrepreneurship, and economic development. The fresh new format aims to herald in a new era of diplomatic, political and socio-economic ties. Macron « wants to break the mold, » explains Rémy Rioux, Chairperson of IDFC and CEO of AFD. Mr. Rioux evokes Macron’s « vibrant » speech delivered at the University of Ouagadougou back in 2017, « and we started working on sports and development, digital, cultural industries, and (now) Montpellier will be a way to consolidate, to take stock, and hopefully move forward. »