At the Africa Forward summit in Nairobi in May, France emphasized investment as a central part of its relationship with Africa, using public funding to support development projects and maintain economic ties. However, the proposed 2027 budget by the Lecornu government includes nearly 1.9 billion euros (2.1 billion USD) less in official development assistance (ODA), which could weaken France's commercial influence on the continent. Annual payment credits would decrease by about 400 million euros, though these savings are still subject to approval by the French parliament. French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that annual exchanges between France and Africa amount to 64 billion euros, and he has called for "regaining market shares in Francophone Africa" while expanding presence in Anglophone and Lusophone countries. The French Development Agency (AFD) highlights that contracts won abroad can mobilize French research offices, equipment manufacturers, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). For example, in 2025, a 781 million euro loan from the French Treasury financed the purchase of 18 Alstom trains, with production planned in French factories. The AFD had previously participated in financing Morocco's first high-speed rail line. Of the 14 billion euros of French investments announced in May 2026, public operators contribute 1.94 billion euros, mainly in the form of loans, credit lines, and guarantees. A September report by ODI Global found that an additional euro of aid from European institutions is associated with approximately 5.05 euros of additional merchandise exports and 1.78 euros of services, though the association is weaker for bilateral aid. Despite maintaining global commitments at 13.7 billion euros in 2025, the AFD reduced its focus on Africa, where funding reached 4.2 billion euros. This shift is attributed to a decrease in public resources, leading the agency to favor loans and adapt interventions to the repayment capacity of partners. In 2026, public funds allocated to the AFD for reduced interest rate loans decreased by 41%, to 488 million euros, according to its semi-annual report. The agency's general director, Christophe Lecourtier, noted that rising costs of its own loans limited the countries and projects it could finance, reducing its ability to support investments that could form commercial relationships. Beyond French credits, the financing conditions offered by other bilateral partners and the increasing demands of African countries for strengthening local content are also expected to impact French market opportunities. The final adoption of the 2027 budget and its distribution between operators will determine the available means for economic diplomacy. While the announced budget cuts do not yet quantify their impact on future African projects, the share of major infrastructure contracts won by French groups against competitors remains an indicator to monitor. According to data from Bpifrance Le Lab, France's share in the imports of goods from sub-Saharan Africa has decreased from nearly 8% in 2000 to 2.5% in 2022. The Syndicat des entrepreneurs français internationaux (SEFI) reports that the continent's share in the international revenue of main French construction groups has fallen to about 5% in 2024 and 2025, compared to up to 10% in 2016. However, African revenues for these groups have remained at a high level for five years, after a sharp decline between 2014 and 2018.