Tinubu, Kagame Confer in Paris on Africa’s Place in a Shifting Global Order

By Iyojo Ameh

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on January 4, 2026, held a private lunch meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Paris, France, where both leaders exchanged views on global developments and Africa’s strategic positioning in a rapidly changing world.

The closed-door engagement centred on evolving international dynamics and the need for African nations to adapt to emerging economic, political and security realities. Tinubu reportedly underscored the importance of proactive policies to ensure the continent remains competitive and resilient amid global uncertainty.

Confirming the meeting in a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Nigerian leader wrote:
“This afternoon, I had a private lunch with H. E. President Paul Kagame of Rwanda to discuss the current state of world affairs and advancing Africa in an ever-changing global landscape.”

The Paris meeting formed part of Tinubu’s ongoing European trip, which began on December 28, 2025. The President is also scheduled to participate in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) Summit in the United Arab Emirates, where world leaders will deliberate on sustainable development, climate action and global progress.

Meanwhile, a photograph released by the Presidency from the Paris meeting sparked online debate after it was flagged by some observers as possibly AI-generated, raising concerns about authenticity and transparency in official communications. The Presidency has since dismissed claims of image manipulation.