The 7 sectors set to attract the next wave of France-Africa investment

A new investment map for Africa is beginning to take shape, and France wants a seat at the table.

At the 2026 Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, African and French leaders unveiled a broad economic agenda that points to where billions of dollars in future investment could flow over the next decade. Far from the traditional donor-recipient relationship that has defined parts of Africa-Europe engagement for decades, the declaration adopted at the summit presents Africa as a production hub, technology market and industrial partner.

The document places industrialisation, regional value chains, digital infrastructure and private capital at the centre of future cooperation. It also reflects growing competition among global powers seeking influence over Africa’s minerals, energy resources, consumer markets and digital future.

For investors, the message was clear: Africa’s next growth phase will depend not only on resources and markets but also on the infrastructure that connects them.

Taken together, the seven sectors reveal a broader shift in how Africa is positioning itself within the global economy. Rather than competing solely as a source of raw materials, governments are increasingly pursuing investment that supports production, manufacturing and regional value creation.

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Whether the ambitions outlined in Nairobi translate into projects on the ground will depend on policy reforms, political stability and the ability to attract long-term capital. Yet the declaration offers one of the clearest signals so far about where African and French leaders believe the continent’s next wave of economic growth will emerge.

From artificial intelligence to critical minerals, here are seven sectors emerging as the biggest bets in the next phase of Africa-France economic relations.

1. Renewable energy and green industrialisation

Africa’s energy transition is becoming an investment opportunity rather than simply a climate discussion.

The Nairobi declaration identified renewable energy as a major area for cooperation, with plans to support investments in solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal energy, green hydrogen and waste-to-energy projects.

For African governments, the goal extends beyond generating electricity. Leaders are increasingly focused on building industries around clean energy supply chains, creating jobs and retaining more value within local economies.

The declaration also emphasised local manufacturing, skills development and technology transfer, signalling a push to ensure Africa benefits from the growing global market for green technologies.

As electricity shortages continue to limit industrial growth in many countries, energy investment is increasingly viewed as the foundation for wider economic expansion.

2. Artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure

Artificial intelligence has rapidly moved from a future opportunity to a policy priority.

African and French leaders called for investment in broadband networks, regional data centres, cloud infrastructure and computing capacity to support the continent’s digital transformation.

The declaration also highlighted the need for “digital sovereignty”, reflecting concerns that Africa could become dependent on foreign-owned digital systems during the global AI race.

Governments are seeking greater control over data storage, digital infrastructure and emerging AI technologies while supporting the development of African language models and locally generated datasets.

With digital services becoming a larger contributor to economic activity, policymakers see AI and data infrastructure as critical building blocks for future competitiveness.

3. Agriculture and agro-processing

Despite employing millions of Africans, agriculture remains one of the continent’s least industrialised sectors.

The summit declaration sought to change that narrative by backing investment across agricultural value chains, from production and storage to processing and distribution.

Areas identified for growth include agro-processing facilities, fertiliser systems, cold-chain logistics, precision agriculture and climate-smart farming technologies.

The focus reflects a growing recognition that Africa’s food security challenges cannot be solved through farming alone. Expanding local processing capacity could help reduce import dependence, create jobs and increase export earnings.

The agreement also highlighted financing programmes aimed at encouraging greater youth participation in agriculture.

4. Healthcare manufacturing and pharmaceutical production

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed Africa’s heavy reliance on imported vaccines, medicines and medical supplies.

That experience continues to shape policy decisions across the continent.

The declaration placed “health sovereignty” at the centre of future cooperation, with support for regional manufacturing of vaccines, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and medical technologies.

African leaders view healthcare manufacturing as both a public health necessity and an industrial opportunity capable of attracting investment and creating skilled jobs.

The agreement also backed initiatives designed to strengthen procurement systems and support African manufacturers through larger regional markets.

5. Critical minerals and local manufacturing

Few sectors illustrate Africa’s growing strategic importance more clearly than critical minerals.

The continent holds significant reserves of minerals required for batteries, electric vehicles, semiconductors and renewable energy technologies, making it increasingly important to global supply chains.

Rather than exporting raw materials alone, African governments are pushing for local processing, refining and manufacturing.

The declaration reaffirmed the principle that African countries should maintain sovereignty over their natural resources while building “Made in Africa” industrial value chains.

As competition for mineral resources intensifies, the sector is becoming a focal point of economic diplomacy and investment negotiations.

6. Maritime trade and the blue economy

Africa’s coastline and maritime resources are attracting growing attention from investors and policymakers.

The declaration identified the blue economy as a source of trade growth, employment and economic diversification.

Investment opportunities highlighted include ports, maritime infrastructure, fisheries, coastal industries and renewable marine energy.

Leaders also called for stronger cooperation to tackle piracy, illegal fishing and trafficking, recognising that maritime security remains essential for expanding trade and investment.

With global shipping routes becoming increasingly important to economic activity, Africa’s coastal economies are expected to play a larger role in regional growth.

7. Infrastructure and regional trade integration

No sector received more consistent attention throughout the declaration than infrastructure.

African and French leaders repeatedly stressed that transport, energy and digital infrastructure will determine whether the continent can unlock its industrial ambitions.

The agreement reaffirmed support for the African Continental Free Trade Area, which is expected to drive demand for roads, railways, logistics hubs, power networks and digital connectivity.

The declaration also highlighted the need to mobilise private capital through public-private partnerships, blended finance and risk-sharing mechanisms.