President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Saturday, May 2, 2026, for a three-nation diplomatic trip covering France, Kenya, and Rwanda, the Presidency has announced.
In a statement issued on May 1, 2026, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the visit will see the Nigerian leader participate in two major international summits focused on economic transformation and global partnerships.
According to the statement, the President’s first stop will be France before proceeding to Nairobi, where he will attend the Africa-France Summit scheduled to hold from May 11 to May 12.
The summit, co-chaired by Emmanuel Macron and William Ruto, will focus on key areas including energy transition, green industrialisation, digital transformation, climate action, and reforms to the global financial system.
Onanuga noted that “President Tinubu’s participation… will underscore Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships with African nations and the French Republic.”
The summit, themed “Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth,” is expected to bring together African and French leaders to deliberate on economic transformation, infrastructure development, youth empowerment, technological advancement, and peace-building.
Following the Nairobi engagement, Tinubu will travel to Kigali to attend the Africa CEO Forum from May 14 to May 15.
Described as the continent’s largest gathering of private sector leaders, investors, and policymakers, this year’s forum—held in partnership with the International Finance Corporation—will focus on accelerating growth through regional integration and cross-border investment under the theme “Scale or Fail.”
“Held in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the summit brings together over 2,000 top executives and national leaders to debate strategies for building resilient, competitive industries,” the statement added.
At both summits, the President is expected to present Nigeria’s economic reform agenda and engage in high-level meetings with global and African business leaders.
Onanuga further disclosed that Tinubu will be accompanied by senior government officials and ministers, and will return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the Rwanda engagement.
