Nigeria and France are strengthening their economic partnership, with bilateral trade reaching $4.7 billion in 2025 as businesses from both countries expand investments across energy, infrastructure, agriculture, logistics, finance, technology and other strategic sectors.
The growing commercial relationship reflects a shift from diplomatic engagement to tangible business transactions, supported by closer cooperation between the two governments and increased participation by private-sector organisations.
Speaking ahead of this year’s French Week in Lagos, the Consul General of France in Lagos, Laurent Favier, described Nigeria as France’s leading trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa, noting that the scale of commercial activity between the two countries underscores the growing importance of their economic relationship.
Favier cited recent agreements concerning the development of the Gateway Deep Sea Port and the adjoining Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone as examples of the expanding cooperation. The agreements were advanced in Paris in September 2026 in the presence of President Bola Tinubu, as both countries pursued initiatives to attract investment and strengthen commercial ties.
According to him, more than 100 French companies currently operate in Nigeria across sectors such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, insurance, logistics, transport, infrastructure and hospitality, generating approximately 14,000 direct jobs locally.
He put France’s foreign direct investment stock in Nigeria at €8.1 billion in 2025, describing the figure as evidence of a sustained commitment to economic partnership and long-term growth.
French Companies Expand Nigerian Operations
Several major French companies continue to deepen their presence in Nigeria, including TotalEnergies, CMA CGM, SPIE, Schneider Electric and Danone. Their activities span energy, shipping, engineering, power management and consumer goods, among other areas.
The relationship is also extending into retail, hospitality and entertainment, with retail group Carrefour and hospitality operator Accor among the French brands expanding their presence in Nigeria.
In the entertainment sector, Canal+ has strengthened its position through its acquisition strategy involving MultiChoice, further broadening the commercial links between French businesses and Nigeria’s consumer market.
Favier said the expansion reflected growing opportunities for French companies in Nigeria, while also creating avenues for Nigerian businesses seeking investment partnerships, international markets and access to European commercial networks.
The developments come as both countries seek to translate their longstanding diplomatic relations into stronger trade flows, investment commitments and private-sector collaboration.
French Week Targets Concrete Business Partnerships
President of the Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Guillaume Niarfeix, said this year’s French Week would focus on converting business discussions into practical partnerships, investment commitments and commercial opportunities.
The week-long programme is scheduled to hold in Lagos from October 29 to November 6, 2026. The chamber describes the event as Nigeria’s largest C-level business networking gathering, bringing together senior executives, investors, policymakers and other stakeholders from both countries.
Niarfeix said French investments were already visible across several strategic sectors, particularly energy, transport and logistics, with projects expected to contribute to infrastructure development and wider economic activity.
In the energy industry, he cited TotalEnergies’ 2024 final investment decision with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) on the Ubeta gas field, which is expected to supply gas to Nigeria LNG’s Train 7 project. He also referenced the more recent IMA project as evidence of continued investment activity in the sector.
These projects reflect the importance of gas development to Nigeria’s energy ambitions and the potential for international partnerships to support infrastructure expansion and industrial growth.
Omi Eko, Lekki Port Highlight Infrastructure Cooperation
Transport infrastructure is another major area of Franco-Nigerian cooperation, with projects in Lagos and the Lekki corridor expected to strengthen mobility and international trade.
Niarfeix highlighted the Omi Eko project, which is expected to transform water transportation in Lagos through the introduction of 75 electric ferries, 25 upgraded terminals and 15 routes covering 140 kilometres of waterways.
The project is receiving support from France through the French Development Agency (AFD), alongside the European Union and the European Investment Bank.
Beyond improving water transportation, the initiative is expected to expand the use of waterways within Lagos’s transport network and provide an alternative to road travel in a city grappling with persistent congestion.
Niarfeix also pointed to developments at Lekki Deep Sea Port, where French shipping group CMA CGM has agreed to operate the container terminal.
With a 14-metre draft and an annual handling capacity of 2.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), the port represents a significant logistics asset for international trade. Its operations are expected to support cargo movement and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to participate in regional and global supply chains.
The projects illustrate the range of opportunities available to French companies in Nigeria, particularly in infrastructure development, transportation, energy and logistics.
Nigerian Businesses Seek Greater Access to France
While attracting French investment into Nigeria remains a priority, the FNCCI is also working to improve Nigerian companies’ access to the French market.
Niarfeix said the chamber had expanded its activities beyond Lagos through its first Executive Paris Leadership Training Programme and Business Mission earlier in 2026. The initiative connected Nigerian executives with French investors, institutions and policymakers, providing a platform for commercial engagement and knowledge exchange.
Favier also noted that Nigerian financial institutions were strengthening their presence in France, reflecting the growing international ambitions of the country’s banking sector.
Access Bank has opened a French Desk in Paris, while Zenith Bank, United Bank for Africa and First Bank of Nigeria have established a presence in the country.
The growing financial links could help facilitate cross-border transactions, support business expansion and improve access to financial services for companies operating between the two markets.
Agriculture and Technology Emerge as Growth Areas
Agribusiness and technology are also emerging as important areas of cooperation, with Nigerian companies increasingly exploring opportunities in France.
Favier cited JR Farms and Babafood as examples of Nigerian businesses that have established operations in France through activities involving coffee production and exports, animal feed, cassava processing, and the import and export of agro-industrial products.
He added that Flour Mills of Nigeria Group had expressed interest in developing its presence in the French market.
To support the internationalisation of Nigerian agribusinesses, Nigeria participated in France’s International Agriculture Show in 2026, marking its second appearance at the event after the 2024 edition.
The participation provided an opportunity to showcase Nigerian agricultural products and explore partnerships that could improve access to foreign markets.
In technology, Favier said Nigerian companies were also making inroads into the French innovation ecosystem.
“In technology, GecX60, an Internet of Things start-up, has established a research and development centre within the Orange Group incubator in Blagnac, France. Convexity, a consultancy specialising in blockchain and payment solutions for non-governmental organisations, is also preparing to establish its first European office in Paris,” Favier said.
The developments indicate that commercial engagement between the two countries is extending beyond traditional sectors into digital innovation, research and development, and specialised technology services.
Franco-Nigerian Agri-Business Club to Boost Cooperation
To deepen collaboration in agriculture, Nigeria and France have established the Franco-Nigerian Agri-Business Club, a platform intended to promote partnerships across the agrifood value chain.
According to Favier, the initiative is expected to encourage French investors to support local capacity building, agricultural mechanisation and agro-processing in Nigeria.
Such collaboration could also help address post-harvest losses, improve the processing of agricultural produce and create additional opportunities for businesses operating within the sector.
With agriculture remaining an important source of employment and economic activity in Nigeria, partnerships that strengthen production, processing and distribution could contribute to improving value addition and expanding market access for local producers.
Reforms Key to Sustaining Investment Momentum
Niarfeix commended the Federal Government for its ongoing reforms and efforts to improve the ease of doing business, saying the measures were helping establish a firmer foundation for domestic and foreign investment.
He said French companies increasingly viewed Nigeria as a strategic economic partner rather than merely a destination for selling products and services.
The shift, he noted, reflects the potential for deeper cooperation through local production, infrastructure development, technology transfer and long-term business partnerships.
As the French Week gets underway, participants are expected to showcase existing investments, strengthen business-to-business engagement and identify new areas of commercial cooperation.
With bilateral trade at $4.7 billion and French investment stock estimated at €8.1 billion in 2025, the two countries are seeking to build on their existing economic links and unlock further opportunities across multiple sectors.
The central challenge will be to translate growing interest and investment announcements into sustained commercial activity, stronger local capacity and tangible economic benefits for businesses and communities in both countries.