President Bola Ahmed Tinubu held a private lunch with Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Sunday in Paris, where the two leaders discussed global affairs and ways to advance Africa’s interests. The meeting was described as cordial and focused on strengthening cooperation between African nations and promoting the continent on the global stage.
A statement from the Nigerian Presidency, accompanied by photographs of the meeting, showed the two leaders seated at an upscale Parisian restaurant, engaged in conversation over a meal. “President Bola Tinubu at a private lunch in Paris with the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, discussing world affairs and advancing Africa,” the statement read.
The lunch meeting comes during President Tinubu’s official end-of-year break in Europe, which began on December 28, 2025, when he departed Lagos. While on the trip, the President is also expected to attend the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit in early January 2026. The summit, organized by the United Arab Emirates, aims to bring global leaders together to shape the next era of sustainable development.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the President’s travel plans, noting that Tinubu had accepted an invitation from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to participate in the high-level summit.
While the Presidency has not provided a full list of European countries the President will visit during his break, France and the United Kingdom have traditionally been part of his annual itinerary. Tinubu’s visits typically include meetings with foreign leaders, discussions on trade, investment opportunities, and Africa’s role in global affairs.
President Tinubu has highlighted the importance of positioning Africa as a key player in international decision-making. His meeting with President Kagame reflects Nigeria’s broader foreign policy objective of strengthening relationships with other African countries and presenting a united front in global forums.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame is a prominent figure in African politics and international diplomacy. Under his leadership, Rwanda has experienced notable economic growth and social development since the early 2000s. Kagame is also a key advocate for African unity and regional integration, often speaking on the need for African countries to collaborate on issues such as security, trade, and sustainable development.
The private lunch in Paris offered both leaders an opportunity to exchange ideas on global challenges, economic partnerships, and ways to ensure Africa’s voice is heard in international discussions. Observers note that meetings like this help African leaders coordinate strategies on trade negotiations, climate change, and regional security.
According to the Nigerian Presidency, the discussion centered on advancing Africa’s interests in global affairs. While the specifics of the conversation were not disclosed, analysts suggest that topics likely included investment opportunities, economic partnerships, regional security, and climate initiatives.
Africa faces a number of challenges that require coordinated leadership, including climate change, infrastructure development, youth unemployment, and political stability. Meetings between influential African leaders, such as Tinubu and Kagame, are seen as a way to promote dialogue, share best practices, and strengthen the continent’s collective influence in global decision-making.
Following his Paris meeting, President Tinubu is expected to travel to Abu Dhabi to attend the Sustainability Week Summit, an event that brings together world leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss sustainable development and global environmental policies. The summit will provide a platform for Tinubu to highlight Nigeria’s sustainability efforts and explore partnerships to address energy, environmental, and economic challenges.
The President’s participation aligns with Nigeria’s growing commitment to climate action, renewable energy, and sustainable economic growth. By engaging with global leaders, Tinubu aims to attract investment and strengthen Nigeria’s role in international initiatives addressing climate change and sustainable development.
The private lunch with President Kagame and participation in international summits signal Nigeria’s intent to play a more active role in global affairs. Analysts believe that building strong bilateral relationships with other African countries enhances the continent’s negotiating power on trade, security and environmental issues.