President Bola Tinubu has hailed the growing economic ties between Nigeria and France after bilateral trade between both countries reached $4.7 billion in 2025.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu also said Nigeria’s partnership with France has entered an “execution phase,” with both countries shifting from diplomatic talks to concrete economic collaboration.
The President made the remarks while welcoming the outcomes of the 10th France-Nigeria Business Council meeting, held on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi.
Tinubu said the growing trade volume and Nigeria’s status as the leading destination for French investment in sub-Saharan Africa demonstrate the increasing economic significance of the relationship.
“With trade between our two countries reaching $4.7 billion in 2025 and Nigeria remaining the top destination for French investment in sub-Saharan Africa, this relationship now carries real economic weight and must be translated into more jobs, industries, infrastructure, and shared prosperity,” he said.
The meeting was attended by Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, and France’s Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad, Nicolas Forissier.
Tinubu commended Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, chairman of the France-Nigeria Business Council, for convening what he described as a productive session involving major players from both countries’ private sectors.
Among the prominent business leaders and corporate executives at the meeting were Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Tony Elumelu, Wale Tinubu, Kola Karim, Kashim Bukar, Patrick Pouyanné and Rodolphe Saadé, alongside representatives of 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 endorsement of the country’s hospitality, tourism, and investment potential.
“This is the partnership Nigeria is ready for. We are ready for investment that builds, capital that produces, and an enterprise that creates jobs. Nigeria and France are no longer simply exchanging goodwill. We are opening a new chapter of serious economic execution,” Tinubu said.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the business environment, supporting credible investors, and implementing reforms aimed at making Nigeria a more stable, productive, and competitive economy.
“The message from the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi is that Nigeria is ready, France is engaged, and the private sector in both countries is moving forward.
“The next chapter of Africa-Europe relations will be written in factories, hotels, ports, energy projects, technology platforms, farms, jobs, and new value chains,” the President added.
The Africa Forward Summit, held from May 11 to 12 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, brought together more than 30 African heads of state and leading business executives to discuss partnerships focused on innovation, trade, investment, and sustainable development.
Hosted by Kenyan President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron, the summit marked the first time the long-running Africa-France forum was held in an English-speaking African country that was never colonised by France.