President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has successfully secured two trade agreements worth €300 million from French President Emmanuel Macron to bolster Nigeria’s critical infrastructure, food security, and other key sectors.
According to a statement on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the agreements were finalized during an economic forum at the Palais des Elysée in Paris, France, as part of President Tinubu’s state visit.
The event saw the attendance of business leaders, industry captains, governors, and top government officials from both nations. Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, signed the Letter of Intent on behalf of Nigeria.
“The two countries affirmed their commitment to work together on investment and development of critical infrastructure, healthcare, transportation, agricultural value chain, renewable energy, and human capital development, through diverse financial and technical assistance programmes, totaling over €300 million spread across all geopolitical zones in the country.
“The two countries committed to forge a strategic relationship in project implementation and enhance mutual trade and cross-border services by removing fiscal barriers while protecting labour rights,” the statement read.
Minister of Finance Edun and Chief Executive Officer of the French Development Agency (AFD), Mr. Remi Rioux, signed another Letter of Intent to support the Renewed Hope Agenda reforms aimed at stimulating and strengthening the economy.
The statement further added: “The Declaration set out the enduring relationship between the AFD and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the AFD’s continuing commitment to support the socio-economic growth of Nigeria through financing sustainable projects in urban infrastructure development, transportation network, housing infrastructure, human capital development through improved education specifically in STEM, agriculture, food security, and healthcare.
“The AFD reaffirmed its commitment to long-term support of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President on energy access and transition, sustainable agriculture, and food security by financing the improvement of agro-logistic hubs. Importantly, the AFD committed to supporting the real sector by providing capital for MSMEs in high-impact sectors.”
