Faith Nyasuguta
For the first time in 24 years, a Nigerian President embarked on a state visit to France, marking a renewed push to strengthen bilateral ties. Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s three-day visit began on Thursday, with the Nigerian leader engaging in high-profile meetings at the Elysee Palace and the Franco-Nigerian Business Council forum.
The visit, which included a symbolic appearance at the Champs Elysees, last attended by a Nigerian President two decades ago, aims to boost economic cooperation and attract foreign investment to Africa’s largest economy. Tinubu emphasized Nigeria’s improving security climate and its readiness to welcome global investors.
“We’ve been working on stabilizing our security systems, and we are seeing remarkable progress. Nigeria is open for business, and I thank you for your collaboration,” Tinubu stated during his address to French officials and business leaders.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the importance of long-term partnerships with Nigeria, describing key priorities for cooperation, including food security, the development of critical ore resources, and strengthening defense strategies.
“We see France as a reliable partner for Nigeria’s growth,” Macron stated.
The visit reflects a strategic recalibration of French-African relations. Facing diminishing influence in Francophone African nations following political upheavals and coups in the Sahel region, France is pivoting towards stronger partnerships with Anglophone countries such as Nigeria.
At the business forum, Nigeria showcased its economic potential with a high-profile delegation that included prominent figures such as Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote. The forum provided a platform for Nigerian officials and private-sector leaders to highlight investment opportunities in sectors like energy, mining, and technology.
Economic ties between Nigeria and France remain robust, with Nigeria ranking as France’s leading trading partner in Africa, followed by South Africa. Macron’s efforts to deepen these ties come as France seeks to reestablish its footing on the continent.
However, France’s influence in Africa has waned in recent years, especially in its former colonies. In mid-November, Niger’s military junta banned the French humanitarian organization Acted, marking another setback for France’s engagement in the region.
Niger had been a critical ally in the fight against jihadist groups before a military coup disrupted diplomatic relations.
Macron has made efforts to expand France’s influence across the continent, including visits to English-speaking nations like Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Africa. His 2018 visit to Nigeria under then-President Muhammadu Buhari highlighted the strategic importance of the country. Macron’s personal connection to Nigeria, where he interned at the French embassy in 2002, further reinforces the historical ties between the two nations.
The Nigerian government views Tinubu’s visit as an opportunity to redefine Nigeria’s role on the global stage while advancing mutual interests. With security challenges being addressed and economic reforms underway, Nigeria is keen to attract foreign investment and strengthen its position as an African powerhouse.
As Tinubu’s visit unfolds, it signifies not only a deepening partnership with France but also Nigeria’s broader efforts to assert its influence and forge new economic alliances in a rapidly shifting global landscape.
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