Nigeria-France Trade Hits $4.7bn as Tinubu Pushes New Investments

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigeria and France are entering a new phase of economic cooperation focused on investment, industrial growth and job creation, following the 10th France-Nigeria Business Council Meeting held during the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.

The President said the outcomes of the meeting showed that both countries were moving beyond diplomatic engagement to practical economic partnerships capable of delivering jobs, infrastructure and long-term prosperity.

According to him, trade between Nigeria and France reached $4.7 billion in 2025, while Nigeria remains the leading 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. Nigeria and France are no longer simply exchanging goodwill. We are opening a new chapter of serious economic execution,” President Tinubu said.

The meeting was attended by Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, France’s Minister Delegate, Nicolas Forissier, and several top Nigerian and French business leaders.

President Tinubu praised the Chairman of the France-Nigeria Business Council, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, for bringing together leading investors and private sector players from both countries.

Among those present were Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Tony Elumelu, Wale Tinubu, Kola Karim, Kashim Bukar, Patrick Pouyanné and Rodolphe Saadé.

The President also welcomed the agreement signed between Accor and Shoreline Group to establish Nigeria’s first national hotel platform, describing it as a major boost for the country’s hospitality and tourism sector.

“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,” Tinubu 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.

President Tinubu further assured investors that his administration would continue implementing reforms aimed at improving Nigeria’s business environment and strengthening investor confidence.