Tinubu departs for France, Kenya, and Rwanda to attend Africa–France Summit and CEO Forum

Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Saturday for official visits to France, Kenya and Rwanda, where he is expected to participate in two major international summits focused on economic growth, climate action and investment partnerships.

The presidency disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, Tinubu’s first stop will be in France before proceeding to Nairobi, Kenya, to attend the Africa-France Summit scheduled to hold from May 11 to May 12.

The summit, which will be co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto, will focus on energy transition, green industrialisation, digital transformation, climate action and reforms to the global financing architecture.

The statement noted that President Tinubu’s participation would reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to deepening strategic partnerships with African countries and France.

The summit, themed “Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth,” is expected to bring together African leaders and their French counterparts to discuss economic transformation, climate resilience, infrastructure development, youth empowerment, technological innovation and peace-building initiatives.

Following the Kenya summit, Tinubu will travel to Kigali, Rwanda, to attend the annual Africa CEO Forum scheduled for May 14 and May 15. The forum, themed “Scale or Fail,” is expected to attract more than 2,000 business executives, investors and policymakers from across Africa and beyond.

Organised in partnership with the International Finance Corporation, the gathering will focus on regional integration, cross-border investment and strategies for building resilient industries across the continent.

According to the presidency, Tinubu will deliver addresses at both summits highlighting his administration’s economic reforms aimed at positioning Nigeria as a leading destination for investment and economic growth.

The president is also expected to hold high-level meetings with African and global business leaders during the trip.

Tinubu will be accompanied by some ministers and senior government officials and is expected to return to Nigeria after the Rwanda summit.