France's Macron eyes investments in strategic Djibouti

DJIBOUTI – French President Emmanuel Macron is offering support for Djibouti to boost its economy and pursue further peace in the Horn of Africa region.

Macron met with Djibouti's President Omar Guelleh, who encouraged French companies to invest in local infrastructure.

Macron heads later Tuesday to Ethiopia as part of an African trip aimed at shoring up military and economic ties.

Macron praised Djibouti as "a historic partner and strategic ally." He called for further economic cooperation and intensifying the fight against piracy. French CEOs joined him on the trip to Djibouti, home to a key French naval base.

Djibouti is seen as relatively stable within a volatile region, and its strategic location on one of the world's busiest shipping lanes has attracted interest from other world powers.