Nigerian President Bola Tinubu will embark on a historic two-day visit to France on Thursday, marking the first state visit by a Nigerian leader in over 20 years.
The visit highlights a strategic pivot for France as it aims to strengthen ties with English-speaking Africa, a region where its influence has waned due to military coups and shifting geopolitical attitudes.
This visit offers a chance for French President Emmanuel Macron to solidify the “dynamic relationship” between the two countries, his office said. Nigeria, Africa’s leading oil producer and a powerhouse in the film industry, has struggled with insecurity and corruption, leaving over half its population living in poverty.
For Nigeria, the state visit represents a chance to attract economic investment, with Tinubu and Macron scheduled to meet at the Franco-Nigerian Business Council to discuss new partnerships.
Macron’s outreach to anglophone Africa is part of a broader strategy to counter France’s declining influence, especially following recent coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, which have aligned with Russia.
“France’s leading trading partners in Africa are no longer French-speaking,” said Togolese economist Kako Nubukpo, pointing to Nigeria as a key partner.
Despite challenges like jihadist violence in northern Nigeria, Tinubu’s leadership, as ECOWAS chairman, signals a growing role for Nigeria in shaping Africa’s future.
France sees Nigeria as a critical market, especially as the continent’s urban population grows rapidly. The state visit underscores France’s strategy to build a “partnership of equals,” particularly avoiding lecturing on human rights.
Looking ahead, France plans to expand its influence in East Africa, eyeing opportunities in countries like Kenya and Zambia at the 2026 Africa-France Summit.