President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that the partnership between Nigeria and France has entered what he described as an “execution phase,” following the 10th France-Nigeria Business Council Meeting held on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.
Speaking after the meeting, President Tinubu said the growing economic relationship between both countries must now translate into tangible development outcomes, including increased investment, industrial growth, infrastructure expansion, and job creation. He noted that trade between Nigeria and France reached $4.7 billion in 2025, while Nigeria remains the leading destination for French investment in sub-Saharan Africa.
The meeting brought together senior government officials and major business leaders from both countries to review ongoing projects and discuss new areas of cooperation. 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, also participated in the discussions.
President Tinubu commended the Chairman of the France-Nigeria Business Council, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, for coordinating what he described as a productive engagement between public and private sector stakeholders from both countries.
Among prominent business figures present at the meeting were Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Tony Elumelu, Wale Tinubu, Kola Karim, Kashim Bukar, Patrick Pouyanné of TotalEnergies, and Rodolphe Saadé of CMA CGM, alongside representatives of global companies including Danone and Accor.
A major highlight of the meeting was the signing of an agreement between Accor and Shoreline Group to establish Nigeria’s first national hotel platform. President Tinubu described the development as a significant boost for Nigeria’s hospitality, tourism, and investment sectors, saying it reflects growing international confidence in the country’s economic reforms.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the business climate, supporting investors, and deepening reforms aimed at making Nigeria more competitive and economically stable.
He added that discussions at the Africa Forward Summit demonstrated a renewed commitment by African and European partners to strengthen cooperation through investments in sectors such as manufacturing, energy, transportation, technology, agriculture, and services.
