President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to depart Abuja on Saturday, May 2, for an official visit to France, Kenya, and Rwanda as part of a strategic diplomatic and economic engagement.
The trip was confirmed in a statement issued on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, the President’s first stop will be France, before proceeding to Nairobi, Kenya, to participate in the upcoming Africa–France Summit.
The summit, scheduled for May 11 to 12, will be co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto. It is expected to focus on key issues including energy transition, green industrialisation, digital transformation, climate action, and reforms to the global financial architecture.
President Tinubu’s participation is expected to reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships with both African nations and France. The summit, themed “Africa Forward: Africa–France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth,” will provide a platform for leaders to deliberate on critical areas such as economic transformation, infrastructure development, youth empowerment, technological advancement, and peace-building.
Following the Kenya engagement, the President will travel to Kigali, Rwanda, to attend the Africa CEO Forum scheduled for May 14 to 15. The forum, themed “Scale or Fail,” is regarded as one of the continent’s leading gatherings of private sector leaders, investors, and policymakers.
Organised in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the event is expected to attract over 2,000 participants, focusing on strategies to drive economic growth through regional integration, increased cross-border investment, and the development of competitive industries.
During both engagements, President Tinubu is expected to present Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms aimed at positioning the country as a preferred destination for investment. He will also hold high-level meetings with global and African business leaders.
The President will be accompanied by senior government officials, including ministers and aides, and is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the Rwanda summit.
