Buhari Flies to France for African Finance Summit

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

President Muhammadu Buhari is departing Abuja on Sunday, May 16, 2021, to Paris, the French capital, to participate in the African Finance Summit.

Mr Buhari will be in the European country for days and would use the opportunity to have talks with his French counterpart, Mr Emmanuel Macron, on other matters, including security.

The African Finance Summit is focused on reviewing the African economy, following shocks from the Coronavirus pandemic, and getting relief, especially from increased debt burden on countries.

It is hosted by Mr Macron and will draw major stakeholders in the global finance institutions and some Heads of Government, who will, collectively, discuss external funding and debt treatment for Africa, and private sector reforms.

A statement from the Senior Special Assistant to Mr Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, disclosed that the President would be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed; the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Adeniyi Adebayo; and the Minister of Health, Mr Osagie Ehanire.

Also on the trip are the National Security Adviser, Mr Babagana Mohammed Monguno; and the Director-General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.

The statement said President Buhari will specifically discuss the growing security threats in the Sahel and Lake Chad region, political relations, economic ties, climate change and partnership in buoying the health sector, particularly in checking the spread of COVID-19, with more research and vaccines.

Before returning to Nigeria, Mr Buhari will receive some key players in the oil and gas sector, engineering and telecommunications, the European Council and European Union Representative for Foreign and Security Policy and Commission, and members of the Nigerian community.