President 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 engagement as a significant step in deepening economic cooperation between both countries.
According to a statement issued on May 12 by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the President said the relationship between Nigeria and France had evolved beyond diplomatic exchanges into practical economic collaboration focused on investment, industrial growth, infrastructure development and job creation.
Tinubu 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. He said the figures demonstrate the growing economic importance of the bilateral partnership and the need to translate commitments into tangible development outcomes.
The meeting brought together senior government officials and top private-sector stakeholders from both countries, including Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and France’s Minister Delegate, Nicolas Forissier.
President Tinubu commended the chairman of the France-Nigeria Business Council, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, for convening what he described as a productive session involving major Nigerian and French investors.
Among business leaders present at the summit were Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Tony Elumelu, Wale Tinubu, Kola Karim, Kashim Bukar, Patrick Pouyanné and Rodolphe Saadé, alongside representatives of major companies including TotalEnergies, CMA CGM, Danone and Accor.
The president particularly welcomed the signing of an agreement between Accor and Shoreline Group to establish Nigeria’s first national hotel platform, describing the development as a strong vote of confidence in the country’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. Nigeria and France are no longer simply exchanging goodwill. We are opening a new chapter of serious economic execution,” the president said.
Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the business environment, supporting credible investors and implementing reforms aimed at making Nigeria more stable, productive and globally competitive.
He added that the outcome of the Africa Forward Summit demonstrated that Nigeria was prepared for deeper international partnerships driven by private-sector collaboration in key sectors such as energy, logistics, hospitality, technology, agriculture and infrastructure.
