France and African nations finalized €23 billion ($27 billion) in investment agreements at a high-profile summit hosted by President Emmanuel Macron. The deals, brokered during the France-Africa Investment Summit, focus on boosting trade, infrastructure, and sustainable development across the continent. Macron emphasized the partnerships as a cornerstone of France’s renewed economic strategy in Africa, aiming to counterbalance growing Chinese and Russian influence in the region.

The agreements include commitments from French firms and African governments to co-finance projects in energy, agriculture, and digital infrastructure. $27 billion in total commitments underscores France’s aggressive push to strengthen ties with 54 African countries ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, which will host African delegations.