- Says $4.7bn Trade Deal Signals Nigeria As Largest Destination For French Investment In Sub-Saharan Africa
- Affirms That Next Chapter Of Africa-Europe Relations Will Be Written In Factories, Hotels, Ports, Others
- Confirms Nigeria’s Blue Economy Potential As Key Driver Of Africa’s Development
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday declared that Nigeria’s economic relationship with France has moved beyond diplomatic rhetoric into what he described as a full-blown “execution phase,” as major investors and business leaders from both countries unveiled fresh commitments at the 10th France-Nigeria Business Council Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya.
Speaking at the Africa Forward Summit, Tinubu hailed the outcome of the high-powered meeting as proof that Nigeria is fast becoming a magnet for global capital, insisting that the era of “mere goodwill exchanges” between both nations is over.
According to the President, trade between Nigeria and France hit a staggering $4.7 billion in 2025, while Nigeria retained its position as the largest destination for French investment in sub-Saharan Africa.
“This is the partnership Nigeria is ready for. We are ready for investment that builds, capital that produces, and enterprise that creates jobs,” Tinubu declared.
“Nigeria and France are no longer simply exchanging goodwill. We are opening a new chapter of serious economic execution,” he added.
The meeting drew some of the biggest names in African and European business circles, including billionaire industrialists Aliko Dangote and Abdul Samad Rabiu, alongside banking mogul Tony Elumelu, energy executive Wale Tinubu, investor Kola Karim, Kashim Bukar, and global corporate leaders such as Patrick Pouyanné and Rodolphe Saadé.
Tinubu praised the Chairman of the France-Nigeria Business Council, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, for convening what he called a “productive and forward-looking session” that united influential private-sector players from both countries.
The President also singled out the landmark signing between Accor and Shoreline Group to establish Nigeria’s first national hotel platform, describing the deal as a major confidence boost for Nigeria’s tourism, hospitality and services sectors.
“This is a major vote of confidence in Nigeria’s investment future,” Tinubu said, stressing that the partnership would unlock opportunities across tourism, infrastructure and employment.
Also present at the summit were Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and France’s Minister Delegate, Nicolas Forissier, as discussions focused on expanding cooperation in energy, logistics, hospitality, technology, agriculture and industrial development.
Tinubu assured investors that his administration would continue to pursue reforms aimed at stabilising the economy and making Nigeria more competitive globally.
“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 President stated.
“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.
The statement was issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, who said the growing confidence from French investors reflects increasing global belief in Nigeria’s reform agenda and long-term economic potential.
The President highlighted Nigeria’s blue economy potential as a key driver of Africa’s development, noting that it had long been underutilised due to insecurity and uncertainty.
“Today, I make an explicit commitment: Nigeria will intensify regional coordination by offering our Deep Blue Project’s maritime intelligence infrastructure as a shared data hub for willing Gulf of Guinea states. Interoperable systems, harmonised laws, and seamless joint enforcement must become the daily reality, not an aspiration on paper.
“Let no one misunderstand: maritime sovereignty does not repel investment — it attracts it. Secure sea lanes, predictable regulation, and functional courts are the preconditions that unlock private capital. Governance has de-risked Nigeria’s maritime proposition. We now invite partners to build on these gains as we advance climate-aligned port modernisation and the digital transformation of our maritime sector.
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“As we endorse the Nairobi Declaration, Nigeria affirms that maritime sovereignty and ocean governance are the non-negotiable foundations of Africa’s Blue Economy transformation. We will continue to earn that sovereignty — through institutions, through assets, through law, and through iron-clad regional solidarity that turns our waters from a theatre of risk into a story of shared resilience.
“The oceans have no duplicate as a common heritage of mankind. For Africa, moving from sea blindness to ocean sovereignty is not a choice — it is a generational duty. Nigeria is ready, and we invite all present to join us in that duty,” the President stated.
