Tinubu France visit highlights renewed focus on anglophone Africa
President Bola Tinubu is set to embark on a two-day state visit to France, marking the first such visit by a Nigerian leader in over 20 years. The trip underscores efforts by French President Emmanuel Macron to strengthen ties with anglophone Africa amidst waning influence in the region.
France has faced growing resistance from several former French colonies, especially in West Africa, where nations like Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have distanced themselves from their colonial past and forged alliances with other global powers. Tinubu’s visit is seen as a diplomatic win for Macron, who has prioritized a “renewal” of France’s relationship with Africa since taking office in 2017.
Economic collaboration is expected to dominate discussions during the visit. Tinubu and Macron will meet at the Franco-Nigerian Business Council, a forum aimed at fostering new partnerships between businesses in both countries. With Nigeria as France’s top trading partner in Africa in 2023, the focus is on leveraging opportunities in oil, technology, and infrastructure, alongside addressing mutual challenges such as insecurity and corruption.
The visit also reflects a broader strategy by France to pivot toward English-speaking African nations like Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Kenya, signaling a desire for a partnership of equals.
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