Analysing the gains from Tinubu’s state visit to France, BNC meeting in South Africa

President Bola Tinubu’s recent international trips to France and South Africa, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic, and multilateral ties, have attracted investments in the critical sectors of agriculture, mining, tourism, and education. KUNLE SANNI highlights the key areas of collaboration and concerns addressed during President Tinubu’s visits to the two nations, including the gains in business commitments and investments for Nigeria…

Accompanied by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, President Tinubu was received by the French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, at the Foyer of the National Des Invalides, a military museum, where the Nigerian leader inspected the Republican Guards of Honour, a military parade to honour him.

After the parade, both leaders went to the Élysée Palace, the presidential residence in Paris, where they presented gifts to each other. Thereafter, they both participated in high-level discussions involving French government officials and business leaders from both countries.

During the meeting, the bilateral talks focused on strengthening economic ties between the two nations by leveraging the Franco-Nigerian Business Council, launched during Macron’s presidential visit to Nigeria in 2018. The council, since its establishment, has played a significant role in promoting investment and economic cooperation between the two countries.

The visit also saw the formal inauguration of Zenith Bank’s operations in France and the signing of key agreements aimed at fostering long-term collaboration in critical sectors, including infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and solid minerals.

As Africa’s leading oil producer, Nigeria is a key economic ally to France and other European trading partners, in sectors such as oil, infrastructure, and telecommunications. Nigeria was France’s number one trading partner in Africa in 2023, followed by South Africa, according to the French customs authority.

Similarly, President Tinubu arrived in South Africa on Monday, December 2, where he co-chaired the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Key economic initiatives were announced at the meeting held at the South African Parliament Building in Cape Town. These initiatives include simplifying the visa application process for qualified Nigerian businesspeople and granting them five-year multiple-entry visas. Additionally, the government said tourists from Nigeria can now apply for a visa without needing to submit their passports.

This development has sparked diverse reactions from various quarters, with many Nigerians commending President Tinubu for his diplomatic achievements. Comparisons have also been drawn with the significant event on July 15, when the UAE government lifted its visa ban on Nigerian travellers—a move widely regarded as a diplomatic victory and a boost to Nigeria’s international image.

Jide Ojo, a political analyst told WESTERN POST that both instances highlight the Tinubu administration’s efforts to enhance Nigeria’s global standing and address key issues affecting its citizens.

He said, “I think it is a welcome development and should be applauded that constituency understand the Bola Tinubu administration is picking up and we are getting some positive results on strengthening of diplomatic relations with different countries as we can recall we see similar efforts made to resolve’s ….with the United Arab Emirates for the suspension of flights as regards to the two countries with this visa cancelling that south Africa has …is another plus to this administration.

However, Liborous Oshoma, a lawyer and rights activist, in an interview with our reporter called on the Nigerian government to also look at the xenophobic attacks on Nigerian businesses in South Africa. ‘’We should look at the climate and behaviour of Nigerian businesses and how they are being received in South Africa. So we do not have cases of attacks on Nigerians,” he added.

The following report highlights the key areas of collaboration and concerns addressed during President Tinubu’s visits to the two nations, including the gains in business commitments and investments for Nigeria:

Trip to France

Harnessing economic partnerships and foreign direct investment food security and agriculture development:

President Tinubu emphasised Nigeria’s need for international investment in food security, including creating a private sector-led food security program. He highlighted the untapped potential in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.

On it’s part, France also committed to supporting sustainable agriculture and food security, particularly through agro-logistic hubs and financing mechanisms under the French Development Agency (AFD) partnership.

Energy and Solid Minerals: Tinubu sought investments to explore Nigeria’s solid minerals and emphasized de-risking opportunities in the sector. France committed to encouraging more investment in this area.

The agreements included a focus on renewable energy projects, aligning with Nigeria’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” for energy transition and access.

Critical Infrastructure Development: A Letter of Intent was signed for joint efforts in critical infrastructure, such as transportation networks, urban development, and housing infrastructure, with funding of over €300 million from France.

This collaboration is set to reduce fiscal barriers while protecting labor rights and fostering economic growth across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

Education and Human Capital Development: Tinubu called for training programs from France to develop Nigeria’s youthful population, particularly in entrepreneurship and STEM fields.

The AFD reaffirmed its support for Nigeria’s educational reforms, focusing on STEM education and broader human capital development.

For Tinubu, “No child should go to bed hungry in the 21st century,” highlighting the importance of joint initiatives to tackle food insecurity and ensure access to quality education.

Strengthening the Financial Sector: The visit witnessed the opening of Zenith Bank’s Paris branch and an agreement allowing United Bank for Africa (UBA) to commence operations in France. These milestones aim to facilitate cross-border trade and enhance financial cooperation.

Defense and Security: Tinubu proposed enhanced Nigeria-France cooperation in counter-terrorism and migration control, emphasizing shared responsibility in regional stability. Macron acknowledged Nigeria’s leadership role in West Africa, particularly through ECOWAS.

Blue Economy and Fisheries: Tinubu spotlighted Nigeria’s blue economy as an untapped opportunity, particularly in fisheries, with potential for French investment.

Bilateral Agreements and Economic Growth: Macron pledged France’s long-term commitment to Nigeria’s economic transformation and praised Tinubu’s leadership in advancing reforms to improve Nigeria’s business environment. Collaborative efforts were agreed upon to bolster trade, healthcare, and renewable energy while supporting Nigeria’s MSME sector in high-impact industries.

Cultural and Creative Industries: Macron emphasized the importance of cultural exchanges and highlighted Nigeria’s global leadership in creative industries such as music and film, signaling future cooperation in these sectors.

Encouraging Food Security Investments:: President Tinubu emphasized the need for private sector investment in food security. Nigeria is repositioning its economy to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), with a focus on agriculture and agro-logistics hubs.

Trip to South Africa

Tinubu’s BNC meeting:

At the meeting, Tinubu articulated a vision of a high-level Nigeria-South Africa partnership as a catalyst for Africa’s economic, social, and political transformation. He called for sustained collaboration to achieve “The Africa We Want”—a future of prosperity and development driven by unity, innovation, and strategic leadership.

Historical Context and Shared Legacy: Tinubu emphasized the long-standing relationship between Nigeria and South Africa, rooted in Nigeria’s support for South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle. He highlighted Nigeria’s role in standing “shoulder to shoulder” with South Africa against oppression, calling it a historic responsibility.

Call for Deeper Collaboration: Urged intensified cooperation between the two nations, citing their shared responsibility as leading African countries to foster development and good governance on the continent.

He also emphasized the importance of implementing signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements, urging officials to ensure their impact goes beyond paperwork.

Focus on Youth Development: He identified youth as a critical resource for both nations, stressing the need to connect and invest in their skills and potential for economic growth. The President also shared his administration’s focus on inclusivity, with young people in charge of key sectors in Nigeria.

Strengthening Economic and Trade Ties: Acknowledged the presence of South African companies in Nigeria (e.g., MTN, Multichoice) and Nigerian companies in South Africa (e.g., Dangote, Access Bank). He also called for the resolution of gaps and challenges in bilateral trade and economic relations and urged both nations to act as engines of economic integration and drivers of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Combating Illegal Mining: The President proposed the creation of an anti-illegal mining group of African nations to tackle the economic and environmental damage caused by illicit activities, often driven by external forces. He also asserted that resources must be mined for the benefit of Africans, not to perpetuate poverty and strife.

Advocating for Nigeria’s Inclusion in the G20: President Tinubu called for support for Nigeria in joining the G20 alongside South Africa to amplify Africa’s voice on the global stage. He urged South Africa, as G20 president, to leverage the position to address Africa’s development priorities.

Vision for African Leadership: He positioned the Nigeria-South Africa partnership as a model for African leadership, capable of transforming the continent and changing negative global narratives about Africa. He called for unity and vigilance, likening the partnership to an eagle soaring above challenges and external hostilities.

Multilateral Unity and Shared Principles: He commended the countries’ alignment on multilateral platforms, including campaigns for UN reform, non-nuclear proliferation, and the sovereignty of nations and reaffirmed the need to work together to decolonize Africa and protect international law.

President Tinubu arrived in Nigeria on Wednesday at 9:10 p.m. He landed at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja, where he was welcomed by high-ranking government officials, including FCT Minister Nyesome Wike, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and APC Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje.

Meanwhile, the president has been advised to conduct thorough follow-ups on his several signed MoU’s and investments during his State Visits.

“I think Bola Tinubu could do a lot of follow ups after his State visits, I think his emissaries need to follow up.. there is a need for the appointment of… I don’t know if there is an appointment of high commissioners and ambassadors, the last I heard that Nigeria doesn’t have ambassadors and commissioners in embassies across the world and this is important to attend to any gray areas in the implementations of some of these policies, but on the surface, it looks like a very positive development which is laudable and commendable.”