President Bola Ahmed Tinubu departed the nation’s capital on Sunday for a high-profile, three-nation diplomatic mission to France, Kenya, and Rwanda. The tour is strategically designed to bolster Nigeria’s international partnerships and showcase the administration’s ongoing economic reforms to a global audience.

The President’s aircraft departed from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at approximately 2:00 p.m. He was seen off by a delegation of senior officials, including the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; Representative Babajimi Benson; and the Director of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ibrahim Sule Dan Agundi.

Diplomatic Itinerary and Key Engagements

The mission is structured around two major international summits and several high-level bilateral meetings:

France (Initial Leg): The President will begin his tour in France before proceeding to East Africa.

Kenya (Africa-France Summit): From May 11–12, President Tinubu will join French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto in Nairobi. Under the theme “Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth,” the summit will address:

• • Energy transition and climate action.

  • Green industrialization and digital transformation.

  • Restructuring the global financial architecture.Rwanda (Africa CEO Forum): The final leg of the trip takes the President to Kigali for the Africa CEO Forum (May 14–15). This year’s theme, “Scale or Fail,” will bring together over 2,000 private sector leaders and policymakers to discuss regional integration and cross-border investment strategies.

Strategic Objectives 

According to the Presidency, this tour serves as a vital platform to project Nigeria as a prime destination for foreign direct investment. By engaging with global business leaders and heads of state, President Tinubu aims to highlight the impact of domestic reforms and advocate for stronger economic ties within the continent and with European partners.

"The President’s participation underscores Nigeria’s commitment to deepening strategic partnerships and accelerating economic transformation through regional cooperation." — The Presidency

President Tinubu is accompanied by a delegation of key ministers and senior aides. He is expected to return to Nigeria following the conclusion of the forum in Kigali.