By Esther Onyegbula
France has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with Nigeria’s creative and cultural industries, unveiling expanded partnerships across the audiovisual, animation, gaming, fashion, music and cultural sectors as part of activities marking the 2026 French National Day.
The French Consul General in Lagos, Mr. Laurent Favier, said the growing cooperation reflects the shared ambition of both countries to position the creative economy as a major driver of innovation, youth employment and sustainable economic growth.
French National Day, celebrated annually on July 14, commemorates France’s historic transition from monarchy to republic and is anchored on the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity.
Highlighting the growing bilateral relationship, Favier said France and Nigeria had recorded significant progress over the past year through strategic partnerships and Memoranda of Understanding aimed at creating jobs, promoting entrepreneurship and expanding opportunities for young people.
According to him, the collaborations span vocational training, creative and cultural industries, digital innovation, e-sports, higher education and student mobility.
He said: “The partnership between France and Nigeria in the Cultural and Creative Industries has continued to deepen over the past year, reflecting the growing importance of these sectors for economic growth, youth employment and international cultural exchange.
“This year again, France and Nigeria have launched a series of collaborative initiatives aimed at strengthening professional skills, supporting entrepreneurship and fostering international opportunities for Nigerian creative talents across the audio-visual, animation, gaming, fashion, music and cultural sectors.”
Favier noted that the initiatives have brought together public institutions, industry professionals and private-sector stakeholders from both countries, opening new opportunities for investment and long-term collaboration.
He described the Creation Africa Forum, held in Lagos in October 2025, as one of the landmark achievements of the partnership.
According to him, the forum brought together leading African and French creative entrepreneurs, artists, investors and policymakers to showcase innovation, stimulate business partnerships and promote sustainable creative ecosystems across the continent.
“The forum provided a unique platform to showcase innovation, encourage business partnerships and promote the emergence of sustainable creative ecosystems across Africa.
“It further underscored the shared ambition of France and Nigeria to position the creative industries as a key driver of economic development, innovation and cultural influence,” he said.
The Consul General stressed that France remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s vibrant creative ecosystem and empowering the next generation of artists, innovators and entrepreneurs.
“Through these initiatives, France reaffirms its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s vibrant creative sector and to building lasting partnerships that empower the next generation of creators and entrepreneurs,” he added.
Beyond the creative sector, Favier said the France-Nigeria relationship has expanded significantly across trade, investment, education, technology and sustainable development.
He disclosed that over the past 17 years, the French Development Agency, AFD, has supported 57 development projects across 23 Nigerian states, mobilising investments exceeding €3.3 billion, including more than €1.1 billion through its private-sector subsidiary, Proparco.
According to him, more than one million Nigerians have benefited from improved access to safe drinking water, while others have gained better electricity supply, rural infrastructure and improved access to agricultural markets.
He also highlighted the Omi Eko project in Lagos, describing it as Africa’s first electric inland waterway transport system designed to reduce traffic congestion and improve urban mobility.
On economic relations, Favier said Nigeria remains France’s largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa and the leading destination for French investment in West Africa, accounting for about 60 per cent of such investments in the region.
He revealed that over 100 French companies currently operate in Nigeria, employing more than 16,000 Nigerians.
He added that France recently organised an Oil and Gas trade mission to Nigeria involving about a dozen French companies interested in investing in the country’s energy sector, while the French Treasury is supporting a pilot small hydroelectric power project in Katsina State.
“As France celebrates its National Day, Team France is proud to mark this occasion alongside its Nigerian partners and to reaffirm the strength and vitality of the France-Nigeria relationship,” Favier said.
He added that the Consulate General of France in Lagos and other institutions under Team France would continue working to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, education, innovation, culture and sustainable development, further strengthening the long-standing partnership between both countries.
