By : Lloyd Mahachi

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has begun a three-day state visit to France. This visit is a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

The visit is also symbolic, as it marks the first appearance of a sitting Nigerian president at the Champs-Élysées in two decades. This historic visit is expected to boost economic cooperation and investment between France and Nigeria.

France is seeking to renew its ties with Africa, particularly with English-speaking countries. The country’s influence has diminished in French-speaking countries following coups in the Sahel region.

France aims to strengthen economic ties with Africa, and President Tinubu’s visit sets the stage for meetings at the “Franco-Nigerian Business Council” forum. This forum is crucial for boosting economic cooperation and investment between the two countries.

The forum will bring together high-ranking officials and business leaders from both countries. President Tinubu is accompanied by a delegation of top officials, including business moguls like Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man.

This visit is crucial, as ties between France and Africa are beginning to falter. Niger’s military junta recently banned the French aid group Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development from working in the country.

This decision was made without providing reasons, and it has significant implications for France’s influence in the region. France has been a key player in the region, providing aid and military support to several countries.

President Macron last visited Nigeria in 2018, during the tenure of former President Buhari. Macron has a personal connection to Nigeria, having spent six months in Abuja as an intern at the French embassy in 2002.

Macron has visited several African countries, including Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Nigeria. According to the latest data, Nigeria is France’s leading trading partner in Africa, followed by South Africa.

This visit is an opportunity for France to strengthen its economic ties with Nigeria and reaffirm its commitment to the African continent. France is keen to increase its influence in Africa, particularly in English-speaking countries.

The visit is also expected to boost cultural exchange between the two countries. France and Nigeria have a rich cultural heritage, and this visit is an opportunity to strengthen cultural ties between the two nations.

Overall, President Tinubu’s visit to France is a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. It is expected to boost economic cooperation, cultural exchange, and reaffirm France’s commitment to the African continent.

Editor : Josephine Mahachi