President Bola Tinubu and French President Emmanuel Macron have signed two agreements aimed at fostering cooperation on critical infrastructure development, agriculture, and food security. The agreements were finalized during an economic forum held at the Palais des Elysée in Paris, as part of President Tinubu’s state visit to France.
The agreements, supported by Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, and French Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industry, Mr. Antoine Armand, highlight a commitment to projects worth over €300 million. These projects will span healthcare, transportation, renewable energy, human capital development, and agricultural value chains across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
A second Letter of Intent was signed by Mr. Edun and the Chief Executive Officer of the French Development Agency (AFD), Mr. Remi Rioux, to support President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. This agreement aims to stimulate economic growth through sustainable urban infrastructure, transportation networks, STEM education, food security, and energy transition initiatives.
The AFD reiterated its long-term commitment to Nigeria, pledging capital support for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in high-impact sectors. Both nations agreed to remove fiscal barriers to trade while safeguarding labor rights to enhance economic collaboration.
Zenith Bank inaugurated its Paris branch during the forum, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s banking sector expansion to Europe.
