Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has begun a three-day state visit to France, meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron to bolster bilateral relations.
The visit marks a historic moment, as Tinubu becomes the first Nigerian president in two decades to be honored at the Champs-Élysées.
Amid declining influence in Francophone Africa due to recent Sahel coups, France is pivoting toward stronger ties with Anglophone nations. Key discussions during the visit include the Franco-Nigerian Business Council forum, aimed at boosting trade and investment.
Tinubu’s delegation includes top officials and business leaders, such as Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote.
France remains Nigeria’s largest trading partner in Africa, underscoring the importance of this diplomatic engagement.