According to a statement on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President will be attending the African Finance Summit which will focus on reviewing the African economy, following shocks from the Coronavirus pandemic, and getting relief, especially from increased debt burden on countries.

The statement was titled ‘President Buhari to participate in African Finance Summit in Paris, meet with Emmanuel Macron on security.’

Shehu said the summit, is to be hosted by French President, Emmanuel Macron, would draw major stakeholders in the global financial institutions and some Heads of Government, who will, collectively, discuss external funding and debt treatment for Africa, and private sector reforms.

The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari will on Sunday, May 16, 2021, depart Abuja for Paris, France, on a four-day official visit to attend African Finance Summit which will be focused on reviewing African economy, following shocks from Coronavirus pandemic, and getting relief, especially from increased debt burden on countries.

During the visit, President Buhari will meet with the French President to discuss 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, President Buhari will 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.”

According to the statement, Buhari will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab  Ahmed; Minister of Trade and Investment,  Adeniyi Adebayo; and Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire.