Tinubu Begins Three-Nation Tour, Heads to France, Kenya, Rwanda for Key Summits

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Saturday, May 2, for an official visit to France, Kenya, and Rwanda, where he is expected to participate in high-level international summits aimed at strengthening economic partnerships and advancing Africa’s development agenda.

According to a State House press release issued on Friday, the President’s first stop will be in France before proceeding to Nairobi, Kenya, to attend the Africa-France Summit scheduled for May 11 to May 12. The summit, co-chaired by Emmanuel Macron and William Ruto, will focus on key issues including energy transition, green industrialisation, digital transformation, climate action, and the restructuring of the global financing architecture.

The summit, themed “Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth,” is expected to bring together African leaders and their French counterparts to deliberate on pressing continental challenges such as economic transformation, infrastructure development, youth empowerment, and peace-building initiatives.

The Presidency noted that Tinubu’s participation underscores Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships with both African nations and France, particularly in areas that support sustainable development and economic resilience.

Following the Kenya engagement, the President will travel to Kigali, Rwanda, to attend the Africa CEO Forum from May 14 to May 15. The annual forum is regarded as one of the continent’s largest gatherings of private sector leaders, policymakers, and investors.

This year’s edition, themed “Scale or Fail,” will focus on accelerating Africa’s economic transformation through regional integration, increased cross-border investment, and the expansion of scalable industries. The forum is held in partnership with the International Finance Corporation and is expected to attract over 2,000 participants, including top executives and government officials.

During both summits, President Tinubu is expected to present Nigeria’s economic reform agenda and highlight ongoing efforts by his administration to reposition the country as a leading destination for investment and growth. He will also engage in bilateral meetings with global business leaders and key stakeholders to explore investment opportunities and strengthen economic ties.

The Presidency added that the visit will provide an opportunity for Nigeria to deepen its engagement on issues such as climate resilience, technological innovation, and sustainable industrial development, while also promoting policies that support job creation and inclusive growth.

President Tinubu will be accompanied on the trip by selected ministers and senior government officials. He is expected to return to Nigeria after the conclusion of the Rwanda summit.

The three-nation tour comes amid ongoing efforts by the administration to attract foreign investment and reinforce Nigeria’s role in shaping Africa’s economic future through strategic international collaborations.