Kenya to Hold the Second Africa-France Summit in October

Kenya will be hosting the second edition of Africa-France Summit dubbed ‘The Encounters Africa 2017’ next month.

The summit is set to bring together over 200 French companies in the country for investment opportunities and over 2,500 investors from France and African Countries.

The event, which is already attracting strong interest from French companies, as well as from Francophone countries will be on from 5^th to 6^th October 2017.

The first edition of the Africa-France summit was launched in 2016 in Paris, bringing together 2700 decision makers from 30 countries

According to the Capital Business, Annemijn Perrin who is the events coordinator said that they expect to connect businesses with the aim of closing deals at the summit.

Perrin added that most companies will be attending the summit for the purpose of getting in touch with partners to work together in either Kenya or set up companies in these countries, or to find a partnership to develop their business.

“Over 100 French companies have already signed up to come, dealing with agriculture, manufacturing, energy, education among others,” said Perrin.

Bilateral trade between Kenya and France remains heavily skewed in favor of France as it’s the is the third largest source market for Kenya’s imports in Western Europe, and the sixth largest market for Kenya’s exports in the bloc.

Official data shows that Kenya’s exports to France grew 12 per cent to Sh5.6 billion between 2010 and 2014, while imports rose 20.4 per cent to Sh22.4 billion in the same period.

Business France opened its office in Nairobi in 2013 to assist French firms interested in investing in Kenya and neighboring East African nations.Over 70 firms have invested in the country.