Macron, Ruto announce new arts and sports partnerships

French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto announced new agreements in arts and sports on Monday, as both leaders called for stronger collaboration between Africa and Europe.

Speaking at the University of Nairobi during the first day of the Africa Forward Summit, the two presidents met with young people, top African artists and athletes.

Macron said most technology solutions used by countries today come from the United States and China. He argued that Africa and Europe could work together to produce stronger innovations.

“I think we have a common fight, a common battle together of investment, which is to build our strategic autonomy for Europe and Africa, and if we build it together, we will be much stronger,” Macron said.

Ruto said Africa’s young and enterprising population is essential for technological progress. He called for partnerships to harness that potential.

“We have young people with the right skills,” Ruto told the audience. “We have the right infrastructure in terms of internet connectivity, and we have a very enterprising and entrepreneurial population.”

He added that technology is the future and that every country should be thinking in that direction.

Both leaders emphasised the need to combine Africa’s human capital with France’s technological advancement to drive economic growth.

SOURCE: AFP