France has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to doing business with Nigeria, pledging to strengthen bilateral cooperation across key sectors and sustain a relationship built on shared economic ambition. This renewed assurance was delivered by Laurent Favier, Consul General of France in Lagos, during the 2025 French Week Business Forum organized by the Franco-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). Favier noted that Nigeria remains one of France’s most strategic partners in Africa, and he encouraged delegates to convert conversations into practical business-to-business and business-to-government partnerships capable of driving meaningful results in the near future. He explained that sectors such as energy, agriculture, technology, and financial services will continue to play defining roles in strengthening resilient value chains across both countries.
Growing Cross-Investment and a More Balanced Franco-Nigerian Business Landscape
The Consul General highlighted a significant shift already underway: Nigeria’s major financial institutions, Access Bank, Zenith Bank, UBA, and First Bank, now operate in Paris. This development, he said, opens a new frontier for launching projects from France to Nigeria and signals a deeper level of economic integration. He also pointed out that beyond banking, there is an expanding appetite among French and Nigerian companies to collaborate in agriculture, technology, and creative industries. He described this trend as “brand new” and a positive indication that bilateral ties are becoming more balanced and dynamic.
According to him, this momentum reflects the core mission of the France-Nigeria Business Council, which fosters cross-investment and supports companies from both countries to establish operations across borders. Through sector-focused missions, curated business programmes, and a highly active ecosystem led by FNCCI, France and Nigeria continue to accelerate trade, identify viable projects, and build long-term relationships grounded in job creation, skills transfer, and prosperity. Favier added that recent economic announcements from both countries show strong readiness for deeper collaboration. He revealed that preparations are already underway for an expanded ministerial delegation scheduled for 2026, which is expected to drive even greater cooperation.
Lagos as a Strategic Gateway for French and Nigerian Businesses
Speaking at the forum, Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, emphasized that the event’s theme reflects a shared ambition to transform commerce into trust and investment into inclusive growth. She noted that Lagos, with a GDP of roughly $259 billion (PPP), contributes more than 30% of Nigeria’s total GDP, making it one of Africa’s largest subnational economies. She described the state as a vibrant global centre of trade, technology, and services powered by a youthful and entrepreneurial population. For French investors, Lagos offers three strategic advantages: scale, dynamism, and access to a market that stretches across Nigeria and the wider West African region.
Ambrose-Medebem highlighted that Lagos has become a thriving startup hub, attracting innovators in FinTech, AI, health tech, and digital agriculture. She stressed that French tech companies and investors have a clear opportunity to collaborate with Lagos startups to co-create solutions with global potential. She identified the Franco-Nigerian Chamber as a critical connector in this ecosystem, linking venture capital with startups and research institutions from both countries to build what she called the “France-Lagos Innovation Corridor.”
President of the France-Nigeria Business Council, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede represented by Access Holdings GMD/CEO, Innocent Ike reinforced the significance of this partnership. He recalled that when President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the council in 2019, his intention was to shift the relationship between both nations from diplomacy to practical private-sector-driven collaboration. He noted that the council has since become a “living bridge” of innovation, driving progress across energy, infrastructure, finance, and culture. One of its ongoing flagship initiatives is the Agora Project, co-developed by France and African partners to advance sustainable urban development.
