Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed the outcomes of the 10th France-Nigeria Business Council Meeting held during the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, describing the developments as proof that both countries are moving “from dialogue to delivery.”
The President noted that trade between Nigeria and France reached $4.7 billion in 2025, while Nigeria remained the leading destination for French investment in sub-Saharan Africa.
According to Tinubu, the growing economic relationship must now translate into more jobs, industries, infrastructure projects and shared prosperity.
The meeting was attended by Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, and France’s Minister Delegate, Nicolas Forissier.
Leading Nigerian and French companies also provided updates on ongoing projects and pledged to deepen business collaboration between both countries.
President Tinubu commended the Chairman of the France-Nigeria Business Council, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, for organising what he described as a productive engagement involving major private-sector stakeholders.
The President also acknowledged the participation of top business figures including Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Tony Elumelu and Wale Tinubu.
International companies represented at the summit included TotalEnergies, CMA CGM, Danone and Accor.
Tinubu particularly welcomed the partnership agreement between Accor and Shoreline Group to establish Nigeria’s first national hotel platform.
He described the deal as a major vote of confidence in Nigeria’s hospitality, tourism and investment sectors.
“This is the partnership Nigeria is ready for. We are ready for investment that builds, capital that produces, and enterprise that creates jobs,” the President said.
Tinubu further assured investors that his administration would continue reforms aimed at strengthening the business environment and improving economic stability and competitiveness.
According to the President, the summit demonstrated that both governments and private-sector players are committed to expanding Africa-Europe economic cooperation through investments in manufacturing, energy, logistics, technology, hospitality and agriculture.
“The next chapter of Africa-Europe relations will be written in factories, hotels, ports, energy projects, technology platforms, farms, jobs and new value chains,” Tinubu added.
