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 major shift from discussions to concrete implementation between both countries.
He noted that with bilateral trade reaching $4.7 billion in 2025, and Nigeria remaining a top destination for French investment in Sub-Saharan Africa, the partnership now carries significant economic weight that must translate into jobs, industrial growth, infrastructure development, and shared prosperity.
The high-level meeting featured Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and France’s Minister Delegate, Nicolas Forissier, alongside leading private-sector stakeholders from both countries who reviewed ongoing projects and pledged to deepen cooperation.
President Tinubu commended the Chairman of the France–Nigeria Business Council, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, for convening a productive session that brought together key industry leaders including Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Tony Elumelu, Wale Tinubu, Kola Karim, Kashim Bukar, and international partners such as Patrick Pouyanné (TotalEnergies), Rodolphe Saadé (CMA CGM), Danone, and Accor.
He particularly highlighted the agreement between Accor and Shoreline Group to develop Nigeria’s first national hotel platform, describing it as a strong vote of confidence in the country’s hospitality, tourism, and investment outlook.
“This is the partnership Nigeria is ready for—investment that builds, capital that produces, and enterprise that creates jobs,” Tinubu said, adding that Nigeria and France are now entering a phase of serious economic execution.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the business environment, deepening reforms, and ensuring Nigeria remains stable, competitive, and attractive to investors.
According to him, the Africa Forward Summit signals a new direction where Africa–Europe relations will increasingly be defined by real sector projects—factories, energy, ports, agriculture, technology, and job creation.
