Tinubu in Kigali: Does CEO Africa Forum Justify the Expense?
Last update: April 9, 2026
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Depends who you ask — there isn’t one factual “yes/no” on whether it’s waste.
CBI News notes that the argument usually breaks down when Nigerian presidents travel for forums like CEO Africa Forum:
1. The “waste of funds” case people make:
- Cost:
Presidential foreign trips include the aircraft, security, advance teams, estacodes, hotel, logistics. For past trips, government delegations have ranged from dozens to 100+ people. Critics say the ROI isn’t clear vs spending that money domestically.
- Frequency:
Tinubu has traveled abroad fairly often since 2023. Budgets for presidential travel in 2024/2025 appropriation bills ran into billions of naira. Opposition figures and groups like SERAP have questioned whether each trip is essential.
- Outcomes:
Skeptics argue many investment MoUs signed at forums don’t materialise, or could be handled by ministers/ambassadors without the President physically present.
2. The “necessary diplomacy” case people make:
- CEO Africa Forum:
It’s one of Africa’s biggest private-sector gatherings — 2000+ CEOs, investors, heads of state. Past editions in Kigali and Abidjan pulled in commitments for infrastructure, energy, tech deals. Supporters say face-time with investors matters.
- FDI pitch:
Nigeria is competing with Kenya, Rwanda, Egypt for capital. Proponents argue presidents attending signals the country is “open for business” and helps unlock deals ministers alone can’t close.
- Peer presence: Paul Kagame, William Ruto, other heads of state usually attend. Absence can be read as disinterest by investors and peers, according to proponents.
3. What determines if it’s “waste” vs “value”:
- Delegation size: Was it a lean team or a large entourage? The Presidency started publishing delegation lists after criticism in 2023.
- Concrete outcomes:
Did the trip yield signed deals, new funding, or measurable commitments that get tracked 6-12 months later?
- Opportunity cost:
What domestic engagements were missed, and could the objectives be met virtually?
What we know for this specific trip:
CEO Africa Forum 2026 is set for May 14-15 in Kigali. It focuses on private sector growth, AI, energy transition, and AfCFTA. Heads of state often use it to pitch country-specific projects to investors.
No single dataset proves all presidential trips are waste or all are valuable. It comes down to transparency on costs and follow-through on deals.
President Bola Tinubu's travel budget for 2026 includes N6.14 billion for foreign trips and N873.88 million for local travel, totaling N7.01 billion. In comparison, his 2024 foreign trip expenses reached N2.3 billion within just six months, sparking concerns about expenditure amidst economic challenges
For context, the 2026 budget allocates N9.3 billion for Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima's combined local and foreign travels, plus food and refreshments.
