Nigeria and France have taken significant steps to strengthen their bilateral relations by signing two strategic agreements.
The agreements, signed during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to France, focus on fostering infrastructure development and food security.
The first agreement, signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and French Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industry, Antoine Armand, commits both countries to working together on investments and development of critical infrastructure, healthcare, transportation, agricultural value chain, renewable energy, and human capital development.
This partnership is expected to be supported by diverse financial and technical assistance programs worth over Euros 300m, spread across all geopolitical zones in Nigeria.
The second agreement, signed by Edun and the CEO of the French Development Agency (AFD), Remi Rioux, aims to support the Renewed Hope Agenda reforms designed to stimulate and strengthen the economy.
The AFD has committed to supporting Nigeria’s socio-economic growth through financing sustainable projects in urban infrastructure development, transportation networks, housing infrastructure, human capital development, agriculture, food security, and healthcare.
Additionally, President Tinubu and French President Emmanuel Macron witnessed the signing of an agreement between the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group Chairman Tony Elumelu and Armand, allowing UBA to commence operations in Paris. Zenith Bank also inaugurated its services in France during the visit.
Source: The Nation
