President Emmanuel Macron / President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that the relationship between Nigeria and France is entering a new phase focused on practical economic results, following the 10th France-Nigeria Business Council Meeting held during the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.
According to the President, the outcomes of the meeting demonstrate that both countries are moving beyond diplomatic conversations toward concrete investments capable of creating jobs, boosting industrial growth, and strengthening infrastructure development across Nigeria.
President Tinubu noted that trade between Nigeria and France reached 4.7 billion dollars in 2025, while Nigeria remains the leading destination for French investment in sub-Saharan Africa. He said the growing economic ties must now translate into visible benefits for citizens through increased production, improved services, and expanded business opportunities.
The high-level meeting brought together major government officials and top business leaders from both countries. Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and France’s Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad, Nicolas Forissier, were among those in attendance.
President Tinubu commended the Chairman of the France-Nigeria Business Council, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, for organizing what he described as a productive engagement between Nigerian and French private-sector stakeholders.
The summit also featured notable business figures including Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Tony Elumelu, and Patrick Pouyanné of TotalEnergies, alongside executives from major international companies such as CMA CGM, Danone, and Accor.
One of the major highlights of the meeting was the signing of a partnership agreement between Accor and Shoreline Group to establish Nigeria’s first national hotel platform.
President Tinubu described the deal as a strong vote of confidence in Nigeria’s tourism, hospitality, and investment sectors, adding that it signals rising international confidence in the country’s economic reforms.
The President emphasized that Nigeria is seeking investments that will support local production, industrial expansion, and employment generation rather than speculative ventures. He stressed that his administration remains committed to improving the business environment, supporting credible investors, and implementing reforms aimed at making the Nigerian economy more competitive and stable.
President Tinubu further stated that the Africa Forward Summit has sent a strong message to the global business community that Nigeria is open for business and ready for strategic partnerships capable of transforming Africa-Europe economic relations.
He added that the future of cooperation between Africa and Europe would be driven not merely by diplomatic discussions, but by real investments in factories, hotels, ports, energy projects, technology platforms, agriculture, and modern value chains capable of accelerating economic growth across the continent.
