By George Ozalla
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Saturday for a three-nation visit covering France, Kenya and Rwanda, in a move aimed at deepening Nigeria’s economic and diplomatic engagements across Africa and Europe.
According to a State House press statement signed by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the President’s first stop will be France before proceeding to Nairobi to participate in the upcoming Africa-France Summit.
The summit, co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto, is expected to focus on energy transition, green industrialisation, digital transformation, climate action and reforms to the global financing architecture. President Tinubu’s participation, scheduled for May 11 and 12, is expected to reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to strategic partnerships with African countries and France.
With the theme Africa Forward Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth, the gathering will bring together African leaders and their French counterparts to address key development priorities including economic transformation, infrastructure, youth empowerment, technological advancement and peace-building efforts across the continent.
Following the Kenya engagement, the President will travel to Kigali for the Africa CEO Forum scheduled for May 14 and 15. The forum, organised in partnership with the International Finance Corporation, will convene more than 2,000 business leaders, investors and policymakers to discuss strategies for scaling African enterprises, deepening regional integration and boosting cross-border investments.
At both engagements, Tinubu is expected to present Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms and investment opportunities, while also holding meetings with global and African business leaders.
He will be accompanied by senior government officials and ministers, and is expected back in the country at the conclusion of the Rwanda summit.
