Nigeria and France Seek Strong Economic Ties
For the first time in 24 years, a Nigerian president visited France on Thursday to strengthen economic ties and attract foreign investment. This historic visit marks the first time a sitting Nigerian president has been at the Champs-Élysées in two decades.
President Bola Tinubu led talks at the Elysée Palace aimed at positioning Nigeria as a key trade partner for France. “We are working on stabilizing security in Nigeria, and we’re making significant progress. I assure investors that Nigeria is open for business,” Tinubu stated.
French President Emmanuel Macron is eager to expand France’s influence in Africa amid shifting political landscapes in former colonies. Macron emphasized France’s commitment to Nigeria in three key areas: food security, mining and resource extraction, and defense and security collaboration.
The visit also set the stage for meetings at the Franco-Nigerian Business Council, further deepening ties between the two nations. However, French-African relations have been strained recently, as seen when Niger’s military junta banned the French aid group Acted from operating in the country.
