• The summit starts today in the French capital, Paris
• The main idea being how to help Africa rebound from the effects of COVID-19 economic disruption
• President Macron held talks with a number of leaders on the sidelines of the summit

The French capital is hosting the biggest number of African leaders at a single gathering since the breakout of COVID-19 over a year ago.

Fifteen African presidents are being hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at an economic summit aimed at helping rebound from the effects of COVID-19.

The African leaders present are from:

Angola

Burkina Faso

Democratic Republic of Congo

Côte d’Ivoire

Egypt

Ethiopia

Ghana

Mali

Mauritania

Mozambique

Nigeria

Rwanda

Senegal

Sudan

Togo

Tunisia

Aside the African contingent, other European countries like Italy, Spain and Portugal as well as the European Union are represented.

The Netherlands, Germany, Japan, Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa will participate by videoconference.

The UN, the IMF, the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development), the WTO (World Trade Organisation), the World Bank and several international public banks have also been invited.

China, a key trading partner of majority of African countries, will be represented by a senior official who is not yet specified.

Yesterday, Macron led a conference in support of the transition in Sudan, achieving a $5 billion debt cancellation.

President @MBuhari in Paris, received by President @EmmanuelMacron and First Lady, Brigitte Macron, today, at the Elysee Palace.

The two leaders meet to discuss the growing security threats in Sahel and Lake Chad region, political relations, economic ties, and climate change. pic.twitter.com/SinerEHVhD

— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) May 17, 2021

Today in Paris, President Kagame joined Heads of State and Government from across Africa and heads of Financial institutions at the International Conference on Sudan. President Kagame also met with President @EmmanuelMacron on the sidelines of the conference. pic.twitter.com/Frc18gFyas

— Presidency | Rwanda (@UrugwiroVillage) May 17, 2021