Tinubu Hails $4.7bn France–Nigeria Trade Growth, Says Partnership Now Focused on Delivery
By Core Reporters
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed the outcomes of the 10th France-Nigeria Business Council Meeting held at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, describing them as a clear signal that Nigeria and France are moving from dialogue to concrete economic delivery.
With trade between both countries reaching $4.7 billion in 2025 and Nigeria remaining the top destination for French investment in sub-Saharan Africa, President Tinubu said the relationship now carries real economic weight and must translate into more jobs, industries, infrastructure, and shared prosperity.
The meeting, attended by Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, and France’s Minister Delegate, Nicolas Forissier, featured updates from leading Nigerian and French companies on key projects and expanded areas of collaboration.
President Tinubu commended the current Chairman of the France-Nigeria Business Council, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, for convening what he described as a productive engagement between major private-sector players from both countries.
The President also acknowledged the participation of Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Tony Elumelu, Wale Tinubu, Kola Karim, Kashim Bukar, Patrick Pouyanné, Rodolphe Saadé, alongside representatives of TotalEnergies, CMA CGM, Danone, and Accor, saying their presence reflected growing confidence in Nigeria’s reform agenda and long-term competitiveness.
President Tinubu particularly welcomed the agreement signed between Accor and Shoreline Group for Nigeria’s first national hotel platform, describing it as a major vote of confidence in the country’s hospitality, tourism, services, and investment future.
“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.
President Tinubu further affirmed that his administration would continue to strengthen the business environment, support credible investors, and deepen 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,” he added.
