By our Reporter
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed the outcomes of the 10th France-Nigeria Business Council Meeting held at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, describing it as a strong indication that economic relations between Nigeria and France have moved from discussions to practical execution.
The President stated that with bilateral trade between both countries reaching $4.7 billion in 2025 and Nigeria remaining the leading destination for French investment in sub-Saharan Africa, the partnership must now translate into tangible economic growth, jobs and industrial development.
The meeting was attended by Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, and France’s Minister Delegate, Nicolas Forissier, alongside top business leaders from both countries.
President Tinubu commended the Chairman of the France-Nigeria Business Council, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, for convening what he described as a productive engagement involving major Nigerian and French private sector stakeholders.
Among the prominent business leaders at the meeting were Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Tony Elumelu, Wale Tinubu, Kola Karim, Kashim Bukar, TotalEnergies Chairman Patrick Pouyanné, CMA CGM Chairman Rodolphe Saadé, as well as representatives of Danone and Accor Group.
According to the President, the presence of the investors reflects growing confidence in Nigeria’s economic reforms and long-term investment potential.
Tinubu particularly welcomed the agreement signed between Accor and Shoreline Group for the development of Nigeria’s first national hotel platform, describing it as a major boost for the country’s hospitality, tourism and services sector.
“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.
“Nigeria and France are no longer simply exchanging goodwill. We are opening a new chapter of serious economic execution,” he added.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the business environment, supporting credible investors and deepening reforms aimed at making Nigeria more stable, productive and globally competitive.
He noted that the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi had demonstrated the readiness of Nigeria and France to strengthen economic cooperation through private sector-driven investments.
“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 stated.
