President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the outcome of the 10th edition of the France-Nigeria Business Council meeting held during the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, declaring that economic relations between Nigeria and France have moved beyond diplomacy into concrete implementation.
According to a statement issued by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu said the growing partnership between both countries must now translate into jobs, infrastructure, industrial growth and broader economic prosperity for citizens.
The President noted that trade volume between Nigeria and France reached $4.7 billion in 2025, while Nigeria retained its position as the leading destination for French investment in sub-Saharan Africa. He said the development underscores the increasing economic importance of the France-Nigeria Business Council and the need to sustain productive collaboration between governments and private sector players.
The meeting was attended by Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, alongside France’s Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad, Nicolas Forissier. Business leaders from both countries also presented updates on ongoing projects and renewed commitments to deepen commercial cooperation.
President Tinubu commended the Chairman of the France-Nigeria Business Council, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, for convening what he described as a productive engagement involving major investors and corporate stakeholders from Nigeria and France.
Among those acknowledged by the President were Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Tony Elumelu, Wale Tinubu, Kola Karim, Kashim Bukar, Patrick Pouyanné and Rodolphe Saadé. He also recognised the participation of companies including TotalEnergies, CMA CGM, Danone and Accor.
President Tinubu particularly welcomed the agreement signed between Accor and Shoreline Group to establish Nigeria’s first national hotel platform, describing it as a strong signal of investor confidence in Nigeria’s tourism, hospitality and service 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.
Tinubu further assured investors that his administration would continue implementing reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business, strengthening economic stability and creating a more competitive investment environment.
He added that outcomes from the Africa Forward Summit demonstrate that Nigeria and France are positioning themselves for stronger private-sector-driven growth across critical sectors including energy, agriculture, technology, logistics, manufacturing and hospitality.
The statement was signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
Tinubu Hails France-Nigeria Business Council, Says Partnership Now in Execution Phase
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