LAGOS — In a bid to accelerate his administration’s “Renewed Hope” agenda and attract much-needed foreign direct investment, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja this Saturday for a high-stakes three-nation tour. The President is scheduled to participate in two major international summits in Kenya and Rwanda, with an initial stopover in France to consolidate diplomatic ties.
The Presidential aircraft is expected to touch down first in France before heading to Nairobi for the Africa-France Summit (May 11–12). Hosted by Presidents William Ruto and Emmanuel Macron, the summit comes at a time when Nigeria is navigating a complex energy transition and seeking technological partnerships to boost its burgeoning tech sector. President Tinubu is expected to lead the charge in demanding “climate justice” and fairer credit terms for African nations, focusing on green industrialization and the digital economy.
The Lagos business community is, however, keeping a closer eye on the second leg of the trip: the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda (May 14–15). As Nigeria’s private sector grapples with inflation and currency fluctuations, Tinubu’s presence at the forum—themed “Scale or Fail”—is seen as a vital “sales pitch” for the country. The President will reportedly deliver a keynote address detailing his administration’s latest fiscal reforms, aiming to reassure the over 2,000 global investors in attendance that Nigeria remains the “Big Heart” of African commerce.
“The President isn’t just attending meetings; he is on a mission to bring back the bags,” a senior diplomatic source told The Lagos Times. “Whether it’s the infrastructure talks in Nairobi or the private equity sessions in Kigali, the goal is clear: growth, jobs, and scale.”
President Tinubu will be accompanied by a powerhouse delegation of ministers and senior aides. He is expected to return to the country immediately following the conclusion of the Rwanda forum. With the 2027 political cycle looming on the horizon, the success of these international outings in yielding tangible economic results will be under intense scrutiny back home in Lagos and across the Federation.
