A Framework for Enhanced Africa-France Cooperation
The Africa Forward 2026 Summit convened a diverse assembly of heads of state, government officials, institutional representatives, and international organizations alongside stakeholders from both the economic and civil society sectors. This collaborative effort successfully mobilized €23 billion in investments, aimed at fortifying partnerships and addressing critical development challenges in sub-Saharan Africa.
In line with recent France-Africa initiatives, Africa Forward 2026 is part of a comprehensive strategy designed to boost mutual investments while fostering a balanced partnership rooted in economic complementarity. The overarching goal is to facilitate the emergence of structured projects that promote sustainable development and enhance the resilience of African economies. This framework also aims to provide tangible solutions to shared challenges, including energy access, industrial sovereignty, digital transformation, healthcare, and connectivity.
Renewable energy and technological innovation have emerged as focal points in this initiative, recognized as essential drivers for accelerating the energy transition. These elements are vital for supporting industrialization across the continent and cultivating a more inclusive and competitive economic landscape.
Expansion of Marine Renewable Energy in Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean
Seaturns has engaged in various competitive endeavors with backing from Business France, an organization dedicated to fostering the international expansion of French companies and enhancing economic cooperation between France and Africa.
Explicitly committed to advancing marine renewable energy in southern Africa and the Indian Ocean, Seaturns is poised to leverage the world’s most powerful wave energy resources. With an anticipated generation capacity of 400 TWh annually in this region, Seaturns intends to deploy its technology at several promising locations, including Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, Mayotte, Réunion Island, South Africa, Mozambique, and Namibia, where preliminary discussions have already commenced.
This initiative underscores the ongoing operational momentum within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, marked by the launch of Seaturns’ first pilot project in Mauritius. This project signifies a crucial step toward the broader deployment of wave energy technology and its integration into the region’s energy strategy.
Strategic Collaboration and Networking Opportunities
During the summit, Mr. Seaterns had the opportunity to engage with key figures, including Nicolas Forissier, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs with responsibilities for Foreign Trade and Attraction. Mr. Fabrice David, who serves as the Representative of the Minister for the Agricultural Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy, and Fisheries of Mauritius, was also present. Notable participants included Ms. Catherine Chabot, Minister for Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, and International Climate Negotiations, who holds responsibilities concerning oceans and fisheries.
This event facilitated interactions with multiple investors, industrial partners, and project developers keen on exploring the opportunities presented by marine renewable energy across Africa and its island territories.
By providing a globally reproducible wave energy solution that addresses contemporary geopolitical challenges impacting energy costs, Seaturns stands out with its robust and competitive technology. This innovative approach not only supports local industrial development and job creation but also enables France to assume a significant role in the international development of wave energy.
