President Bola Tinubu will leave Abuja on Saturday for a three‑nation diplomatic tour that includes France, Kenya and Rwanda, the Presidency announced on Friday.
The itinerary begins with a visit to Paris, after which the Nigerian head of state will travel to Nairobi, Kenya, to attend the Africa‑France Summit on 11 and 12 May. The summit, co‑chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto, is titled “Africa Forward: Africa‑France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth.” Delegates will discuss energy transition, green industrialisation, digital transformation, climate action and reforms of the global financing architecture. The program also aims to explore economic transformation, infrastructure development, youth empowerment and peace‑building across the continent.
Tinubu’s participation signals Nigeria’s intention to deepen strategic ties with both African partners and France. Following the Nairobi summit, the president will proceed to Kigali, Rwanda, for the Africa CEO Forum, scheduled for 14‑15 May. Organized in partnership with the International Finance Corporation, the forum carries the theme “Scale or Fail” and will focus on accelerating Africa’s economic transformation through regional integration and cross‑border investment. More than 2,000 business leaders, investors and policymakers are expected to attend.
During both events, Tinubu is slated to outline his administration’s economic reforms, emphasizing Nigeria’s ambition to become a premier investment destination. He will also hold bilateral meetings with African and global business leaders to promote trade, investment and cooperation. Accompanying the president will be a delegation of ministers and senior aides.
The three‑day tour concludes with the president’s return to Nigeria after the Rwanda summit. The visits come at a time when Nigeria is seeking to attract foreign investment and strengthen its role in continental initiatives. By engaging directly with African and European partners, Tinubu aims to position Nigeria at the forefront of discussions on sustainable development, digital innovation and financing reforms that are central to the continent’s growth agenda.
