President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday declared that Nigeria and France have entered a new phase of economic partnership focused on concrete investments, job creation, and industrial expansion, following the 10th France-Nigeria Business Council Meeting at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.
With bilateral trade between both countries hitting $4.7 billion in 2025 and Nigeria retaining its position as the largest destination for French investment in sub-Saharan Africa, Tinubu said the relationship must now translate into visible economic gains for Nigerians.
The President described the outcomes of the high-level meeting as evidence that both nations were moving beyond diplomatic engagements to practical business execution across key sectors of the economy.
The session brought together top Nigerian and French business leaders alongside government officials, including Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and France’s Minister Delegate, Nicolas Forissier.
Tinubu commended the Chairman of the France-Nigeria Business Council, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, for convening what he called a productive engagement between major private sector players from both countries.
Among leading investors and executives at the summit were Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Tony Elumelu, Wale Tinubu, Kola Karim, Kashim Bukar, Patrick Pouyanné of TotalEnergies, Rodolphe Saadé of CMA CGM, as well as representatives of Danone and Accor.
The President said their participation reflected growing international confidence in Nigeria’s economic reforms and long-term competitiveness.
Tinubu particularly hailed the agreement between Accor and Shoreline Group to establish Nigeria’s first national hotel platform, describing it as a strong vote of confidence in the country’s tourism, hospitality, and services 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.
He 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.
According to Tinubu, the emerging Africa-Europe economic relationship would increasingly be defined by investments in factories, energy projects, ports, technology platforms, agriculture, hotels, and new value chains capable of driving growth and employment across the continent.