President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Saturday, May 2, for a three-nation diplomatic tour covering France, Kenya, and Rwanda, the Presidency has announced. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President will begin the trip in France before proceeding to Nairobi, Kenya, to participate in the Africa-France Summit scheduled for next week.
Africa-France Summit in Nairobi
The summit, co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto, will focus on key areas including energy transition, green industrialisation, digital transformation, restructuring of the global financial architecture, and climate action. President Tinubu's participation in the summit, slated for May 11-12, is expected to reinforce Nigeria's commitment to deepening strategic partnerships with African countries and France. With the theme 'Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth,' the summit will provide a platform for high-level engagement between African leaders and their French counterparts on issues such as economic transformation, climate resilience, infrastructure development, youth empowerment, technological advancement, and peace-building.
Africa CEO Forum in Kigali
Following the Nairobi engagements, the President will travel to Kigali, Rwanda, to attend the 2026 Africa CEO Forum scheduled for May 14-15. The forum, themed 'Scale or Fail,' is regarded as one of the continent's foremost private sector gatherings, bringing together over 2,000 business leaders, investors, and policymakers to explore pathways for accelerating economic transformation through regional integration and cross-border investments. Organised in partnership with the International Finance Corporation, the forum will feature deliberations on building resilient and competitive African industries.
President's Agenda and Delegation
At both summits, President Tinubu is expected to deliver keynote statements outlining his administration's reform agenda aimed at positioning Nigeria as a leading destination for investment and economic growth. He will also hold a series of 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 engagements.
