President Bola Tinubu and French President Emmanuel Macron have signed two agreements that will ensure a partnership on the development of critical infrastructure and the long-term sustenance of agriculture and food security.
Earlier, the two leaders witnessed the signing of an agreement by the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group Chairman Tony Elumelu and Mr. Antoine Armand, the French Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry for the bank to commence operations in Paris, with Zenith Bank also inaugurating its services in the country during the visit.
The partnership agreements were signed at an economic forum attended by businessmen, captains of industry, governors, and some top government officials of both countries at the Palais des Elysée in Paris, France, during President Tinubu’s state visit.
Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, and Mr. Armand signed the Letter of Intent.
According to the document, 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 of over 300 million euros spread across all geopolitical zones in the country.
They also 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 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 designed to stimulate and strengthen the economy.
The document states that the declaration sets out the enduring relationship between the AFD and the FRN, 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.
