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By Ayo Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Saturday for a three-nation strategic visit to France, Kenya and Rwanda, as part of efforts to deepen economic cooperation, strengthen diplomatic ties and attract more investments into Nigeria.
The Presidency said the visit will see the President participate in two major international economic meetings (the Africa-France Summit in Nairobi and the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali), where African leaders, global investors and policymakers are expected to deliberate on the continent’s development priorities and growth opportunities.
According to a statement released on Friday by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s first stop will be France before traveling to Nairobi, Kenya for the Africa-France Summit scheduled for May 11-12.
The summit, co-chaired by Emmanuel Macron and William Ruto, will focus on critical issues including the energy transition, green industrialisation, climate action, digital transformation and global financial architecture reforms.
With the theme “Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth”, the summit is expected to provide a platform for African and French leaders to explore pathways for sustainable development, infrastructure expansion, youth empowerment and technological innovation across the continent.
The Presidency noted that President Tinubu’s participation reflects Nigeria’s commitment to building stronger strategic partnerships with African nations and the French Republic, positioning the country as a preferred destination for investment and economic growth.
The meeting is also expected to provide opportunities for bilateral engagements between President Tinubu and other world leaders, development institutions and investors seeking to expand their presence in Africa’s largest economy.
After the Nairobi summit, the Nigerian leader will travel to Kigali, Rwanda, to participate in the 2026 edition of the Africa CEO Forum, scheduled for May 14 and 15.
The annual meeting, considered one of Africa’s most influential private sector forums, will bring together over 2,000 business leaders, investors, policymakers and development partners from across the continent and beyond.
This year’s forum, themed “Scale or Fail,” will focus on accelerating economic transformation through regional integration, industrial competitiveness and increasing cross-border investment.
Organized in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation, the forum will examine strategies to build resilient African industries and unlock the continent’s economic potential through stronger public-private collaboration.
The Presidency disclosed that President Tinubu will use both summits to showcase his administration’s reform agenda and ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s economy towards sustainable growth.
“He will make statements highlighting his administration’s ongoing reforms to reposition the nation as a leading destination for investment and growth,” the statement read.
Since taking office, the Tinubu administration has pursued a series of economic reforms aimed at stabilizing public finances, improving the investment climate, enhancing infrastructure and promoting private sector participation in key sectors of the economy.
President Tinubu is also expected to hold high-level meetings with key African and international business leaders on the sidelines of the summits as part of broader efforts to secure new investment commitments and strengthen economic partnerships.
He will be accompanied on the trip by senior government officials, ministers and aides and is expected to return to Nigeria after completing his commitments in Rwanda.
