In 2017, French exports to Kenya, a former British colony, were about $200 million -- about half Uganda's exports to its neighbor. The personal touch is vital when competing with China, French officials say. From 2000 to 2017, the portion of all French exports that went to Africa halved from 11 percent to 5.5 percent. "FRANCE MUST COME BACK"In Ethiopia, Macron said he wanted a new economic relationship, but Beijing has also been forging economic ties with Addis Ababa. But the small group of business leaders that accompanied Macron on his trip showed few signs of cashing in on this sentiment.

Source: Ethiopian News March 18, 2019 15:00 UTC