President Muhammadu Buhari kz scheduled to travel out of Abuja on Sunday, May 16, 2021, for France on a four-day official visit, to participate in the African Finance Summit holding in Paris.
Organisers of said the Summit would focus on reviewing the state of African economy following shocks from Coronavirus pandemic, and getting relief, especially from increased debt burden on countries.
The Summit, to be hosted by President Emmanuel Macron, would attract major stakeholders in the global finance institutions and some Heads of Government, who would collectively discuss external funding and debt treatment for Africa, and private sector reforms.
A statement by presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, said during the visit President Buhari would meet with the French President to discuss growing security threats in Sahel and Lake Chad region, political relations, economic ties, climate change and partnership in buoying the health sector, particularly in checking spread of COVID-19, with more research and vaccines.
France is alleged to be one of the major financiers and supporters of the armed insurgent groups fighting in the Sahel and Lake Chad region.
Before returning to Nigeria, Shehu said President Buhari would receive some key players in the oil and gas sector, engineering and telecommunications, European Council and European Union representative for Foreign and Security Policy and Commission, and members of the Nigerian community.
He said the President would be accompanied by four Ministers, including Geoffrey Onyeama (Foreign Affairs); Zainab Ahmed (Finance, Budget and National Planning), Adeniyi Adebayo (Trade and Investment), and Osagie Ehanire (Health).
The National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, 1and Director General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), AhmedAbubakar are also expected join on the trip.
