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| L-R: Olusanya Olakunle, Director, Fanmilk (Danone); Uhabia Ojike, Guillaume Niarfeix, President Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Denis Martin, Managing Director, CFAO Mobility Nigeria; Muyiwa Akinyemi, Deputy Managing Director, United Bank of Africa; Laurent Favier, Consul General of France in Lagos; Adobi Nwapa, Executive Director, Zenith Bank; and Innocent C. Ike, Group Chief Executive Officer, Access Holdings, at the French Week 2025 Business Forum at Access Towers in Lagos… recently. |
The France–Nigeria Business Council (FNBC) has renewed its call for deeper bilateral cooperation to drive sustainable economic growth, as senior government officials, business leaders, diplomats and industry stakeholders converged for the 2025 French Week Economic Summit in Lagos.
The high-level forum, now in its third year and hosted at Access Towers, brought together key voices from both nations to explore new pathways for collaboration under the theme: “France–Nigeria Commercial Relations: Leveraging Partnership for Growth.”
Delivering the welcome address, FNBC President and Chairman of Access Holdings Plc, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, stressed the importance of strengthening commercial ties between both nations through private-sector leadership, strategic investment and practical partnerships. Represented by Access Holdings Group CEO, Innocent Ike, he said the Summit reflects the progress envisioned when President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the FNBC in 2019 to promote private-sector-driven cooperation.
Aig-Imoukhuede noted that the Council has since grown into an influential platform advancing partnerships across energy, infrastructure, finance and culture—anchored on shared values of sustainability, innovation and inclusion.
Key Projects Driving Collaboration
He highlighted progress on the AGORA Project, a flagship France–Africa initiative focused on urban sustainability. The project promotes green mobility, eco-friendly infrastructure and digital integration—priorities he said are essential to future-ready African cities.
- Cut carbon emissions by 31,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually
- Mobilise over €60 million (₦100 billion) in green investments
- Create more than 2,000 jobs in recycling, renewable energy and eco-tourism
He described Omi Eko as “a demonstration of how environmental restoration can unlock broad economic opportunity.”
Lagos Unveils International Financial Centre
Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, announced the emergence of the Lagos International Financial Centre (LIFC)—a strategic initiative designed to draw global financial institutions, attract foreign direct investment and accelerate financial innovation in the state.
“It will serve as a strong platform for global investors, innovators and businesses to converge,” she said, promising more details at next year’s Summit.
Ambrose-Medebem also noted that recent state-led initiatives, including the €410 million Omi Eko Water Transportation Project, underscore Lagos’ commitment to modernising infrastructure through safe, eco-friendly electric ferries and green mobility systems.
Creative Economy, Climate Action Also in Focus
Aig-Imoukhuede identified the creative sector as a major growth frontier for France and Nigeria. Citing collaborations such as Creation Africa and the Tate Modern’s Nigeria Modernism Exhibition, he urged investors to treat the creative industry as a viable export sector capable of shaping national identity and global influence.
He also emphasised the urgency of climate transition, saying that France’s leadership in green technology combined with Nigeria’s natural resources sets the stage for impactful partnerships in solar, wind, hydro and cleaner gas projects.
With growing momentum in trade, infrastructure, green investments and creative collaboration, stakeholders expressed optimism that this year’s Summit will catalyse deeper partnerships and shared economic progress.