Get Guardian on GoogleFrance and Nigeria are strengthening economic cooperation in agriculture as both countries seek to attract investment into agro-processing, mechanisation, irrigation, cold-chain infrastructure and agricultural technology.
The development was featured prominently at the France-Nigeria Agri-Business Summit organised by the Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) as part of French Week 2026 in Lagos, where government, business and research leaders called for stronger commercial partnerships across the agricultural value chain.
The Consul-General of France in Lagos, Laurent Favier, said Nigeria had the land, climate and human resources required to become one of Africa’s leading agri-food hubs, but needed to bridge the gap between its agricultural potential and growing food-security challenges.
Favier said more than 36 million Nigerians were facing severe food insecurity, making investment in technology, finance and know-how critical to improving domestic production and positioning the country to supply international markets.
He disclosed that a €300 million facility managed by Proparco would support agricultural value chains across Africa. The facility is part of a wider €27 billion commitment announced at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi.
According to him, the France-Nigeria Agri-Business Club, launched in July under the FNCCI, is expected to bring together more than 500 members from business, government and academia.
Favier said the platform would facilitate investment in agricultural mechanisation, local capacity building, agro-processing and the reduction of post-harvest losses.
He noted that bilateral trade between France and Nigeria reached $4.7 billion in 2025, with Nigeria ranking as France’s fifth-largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa.
He also pointed to the growing presence of Nigerian businesses in France, including JR Farms and Babafood, while noting that Flour Mills of Nigeria Group had expressed interest in developing its activities there.
On agricultural exports, Favier said French experts were helping Nigerian producers meet European Union standards, including addressing Tuta absoluta, aflatoxin and Salmonella contamination affecting products such as tomatoes, sesame and ginger.
He stressed that reducing post-harvest losses and strengthening cold-chain infrastructure could significantly improve farmers’ incomes and Nigeria’s ability to access international markets.
Speaking on the role of French businesses, Maxime Bieliaeff of Business France said the agency was working to connect French companies with Nigerian partners across the agricultural value chain.
He said Business France was supporting a French company specialising in cold-room solutions to prepare facilities for post-harvest preservation of agricultural products in Nigeria.
He also disclosed that a French irrigation technology company was preparing to deploy high-value irrigation solutions in partnership with a Nigerian company.
According to Bieliaeff, the initiatives demonstrate how French technology can address specific Nigerian business needs while creating commercial opportunities for companies from both countries.
He said Business France was also monitoring opportunities arising from Nigeria’s push for local manufacturing and the redevelopment of value chains, including barley and cotton.
Bieliaeff added that the organisation was helping Nigerian businesses explore investment opportunities in France, citing the growing participation of Nigerian companies and delegations in French agricultural events.
Delivering the keynote, Director-General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Simeon Ehui, called for stronger links between agricultural research, businesses and investors to accelerate commercialisation of innovations.
Speaking on Agricultural Innovation and Agribusiness Investment: Opportunities for Sustainable Growth, Ehui said scientific research would have greater economic impact when connected to commercial opportunities and reliable markets.
