Kenya, France Sign 11-Point Deal Covering Logistics, Rail, and Energy

Kenya and France have signed 11 bilateral agreements spanning port logistics, commuter rail, agriculture, digital infrastructure, and energy deals that are set to reshape Kenya's supply chain landscape in the coming years.

The signing took place on May 10, 2026, at State House Nairobi, during a meeting between President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron, who was in the country for the Africa Forward Summit, the first edition held outside France or a Francophone nation in over 50 years.

The most significant deal for the logistics sector is a joint venture between the Kenyan government and shipping giant CMA CGM to develop port and logistics infrastructure, valued at approximately KSh 104 billion.

The partnership is expected to strengthen Mombasa's role as a key trade gateway for East and Central Africa.

On rail, Kenya and France agreed to a KSh 12.5 billion rehabilitation of the Nairobi Commuter Rail network, extending corridors to satellite towns including Syokimau, Embakasi, Ruiru, and Kikuyu, a move that could ease last-mile distribution pressures across the capital.

Other agreements cover the export of Kenyan specialty teas into French retail markets, a KSh 32.5 billion expansion of the Kipeto Wind Energy project, sustainable aviation fuel production, nuclear energy cooperation, and digital infrastructure development.

President Ruto summed up Kenya's foreign policy position simply: "We are not looking East or West. We are looking forward."