President Bola Tinubu has said trade between Nigeria and France reached $4.7 billion in 2025, describing it as a sign of stronger economic ties between both countries.

Speaking at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Tinubu said the partnership had moved beyond diplomatic discussions into what he called a phase of concrete economic execution, according to Channels Television.

The president made the remarks after the 10th meeting of the France-Nigeria Business Council, held alongside the summit. He said Nigeria remained the largest destination for French investment in sub-Saharan Africa and urged that the growing trade relationship should lead to more jobs, industries and infrastructure.

Tinubu said the rising trade volume showed that bilateral relations were becoming more significant economically and should now deliver direct benefits for citizens.

The meeting was attended by Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, and France’s Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Nicolas Forissier.

Business leaders present included Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Tony Elumelu and Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, alongside executives from TotalEnergies, CMA CGM, Danone and Accor.

A key outcome of the meeting was an agreement between Accor and Shoreline Group to create Nigeria’s first national hotel platform. Tinubu said the deal reflected investor confidence in the country’s tourism and hospitality sector.

He added that the future of Africa-Europe relations would depend on investments in factories, ports, hotels, technology, farms and energy projects rather than diplomatic declarations.

The summit, hosted by William Ruto and Emmanuel Macron, brought together more than 30 African leaders and business executives to discuss trade, innovation and sustainable development.