French multinational corporations operating in Kenya encounter mounting pressures as President Emmanuel Macron prepares for a state visit in March 2019. The trip coincides with renewed scrutiny of French business practices, including allegations of corporate governance issues, monopolistic behavior, and ethical concerns over data privacy. Companies like Idemia, Total Kenya, and Bolloré Group face intensified competition from Chinese firms and regulatory reforms.
Key challenges include controversies tied to specific years: Idemia's involvement in Kenya's 2017 election technology, a 2016 tax evasion case involving a French tycoon's Kenyan ranch, and a 2014 international probe into alleged bribes by a French pharmaceutical company. The 2013 French Senate report "Africa is our Future" outlined goals for African economic partnerships, but its promises have not fully addressed current market dynamics.
French automaker Peugeot S.A. struggles with declining market share amid second-hand car imports, while NAS Servair faces competition eroding its catering monopoly. Bolloré Group's CEO was detained in 2018 over African corruption allegations, and French private equity firm Amethis Finance lost an investment in Chase Bank after its collapse. A Sh180 billion highway contract remains a focal point of international competition.
Kenyan officials emphasize the strategic significance of Macron's visit, with Foreign Affairs principal secretary Macharia Kamau highlighting discussions on trade, infrastructure, and manufacturing. However, analysts note entrenched British and Chinese interests in Kenya, complicating Macron's efforts to expand French influence. The visit also coincides with debates over France's historical responsibilities, including proposals to restitute African cultural artifacts.
