Emmanuel Macron invites Bola Tinubu to reshape France-Nigeria relations

On November 28, 2024, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu is in Paris for a state visit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. This state visit marks a significant diplomatic effort as Macron aims to strengthen ties with Nigeria, a critical player in his evolving African policy since taking office in 2017. The relationship between Macron and Nigeria goes back to 2002, during Macron's internship at the French Embassy in Abuja. Their collaboration intends to foster economic, cultural, and sports partnerships that extend beyond traditional French influence in Francophone Africa. As a symbol of this emerging partnership, Macron's dedication to enhancing trade relations is evident as Nigeria becomes Paris' leading trade partner in sub-Saharan Africa since the first quarter of 2024. The backdrop of this visit is France's challenges in maintaining its position in Africa amidst increasing competition from nations like China, Russia, and Turkey. France's market share in Africa has significantly declined from 5.5% in 2017 to approximately 3.2% in 2023, reflecting a gap that Macron is keen to address by seeking new alliances. The emphasis on Nigeria, the continent's most populous nation with a robust economic growth trajectory, highlights France's intention to diversify its partnerships outside of its historic ties with Francophone countries. During the visit, after engaging in high-level discussions at the Élysée Palace, Tinubu and Macron plan to attend the France-Nigeria Business Council. This initiative, launched by Macron in 2018, aims to bolster economic relations between both nations, which could pave the way for more collaborative opportunities in energy, infrastructure, and trade projects. As Paris looks for strategic economic partnerships outside of Francophone regions, the Nigeria-France relationship could prove vital in rejuvenating France's influence on the continent. Furthermore, the upcoming Africa-France summit set to take place in Kenya in 2026 signifies a shift in France’s engagement strategy, moving away from historical ties and focusing more broadly on African nations. Macron's continued efforts to build strong diplomatic ties with Nigeria display his commitment to a transformed approach to French-African relations, underscoring the importance of adapting to the changing geopolitical landscape of the continent.