Africa–France university partnership to boost skills, innovation, and development by 2030./PCS
French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to deepen academic ties between Africa and France, unveiling an ambitious plan to expand university partnerships and digital learning opportunities across the continent by 2030.
Speaking during the Africa Forward Summit 2026 at the University of Nairobi, Macron said education and skills development would form the backbone of a renewed Africa–France cooperation agenda focused on long-term growth and innovation.
“We will expand the partnership between our universities and African universities to help the continent develop by 2030,” Macron said.
The summit, co-hosted by Kenya and France under the theme Africa–France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth, has brought together more than 30 heads of state alongside investors, business leaders, young entrepreneurs, artists and civil society groups.
Macron said the partnerships would focus on structured academic collaboration aimed at strengthening training, research and innovation in African universities.
The French leader also announced plans to expand digital learning infrastructure across the continent, saying technology-driven education would be critical in preparing young Africans for future jobs and opportunities.
“One million Africans will be supported through our digital centres by 2030,” he said.
Under the initiative, 50 digital centres are expected to be established across Africa to improve access to technology, strengthen digital skills and widen opportunities for young people.
A presentation during the summit highlighted the growing need for partnerships with leading global universities to strengthen education systems, research capacity and innovation across Africa.
The summit also unveiled plans for new collaborations with top universities aimed at training students under high-quality education systems to boost human capital and support national development goals.
The Africa Forward Summit 2026 continues in Nairobi with discussions centred on turning commitments into practical action in education, innovation and sustainable development.
Kenya’s hosting of the summit marks a historic first for France–Africa relations, as it is the first France–Africa summit to be held in an English-speaking country, reinforcing Nairobi’s growing influence as a regional hub for diplomacy, education and innovation.