By Mohammed Idris, has called on French investors to tap into the country’s growing market and pro-business reforms, highlighting Nigeria’s vast economic potential. Speaking at the Nigeria Business Forum in Paris, he underscored the transformative policies under President Bola Tinubu’s administration aimed at attracting foreign direct investment.
The forum, organized by Business France, brought together over 200 French companies and key stakeholders. Idris expressed appreciation to longstanding French investors like TotalEnergies, Peugeot, Danone, and Schneider Electric for their contributions to various sectors, including energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing.
“Nigeria is undergoing an unprecedented journey of reform,” Idris stated, pointing to the Renewed Hope Agenda, an eight-point strategy designed to unlock economic growth. He emphasized Nigeria’s position as the gateway to Africa’s consumer market under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Among the major reforms highlighted were foreign exchange unification, fuel subsidy removal, tax restructuring, and cost-reflective electricity tariffs. He also pointed to trade facilitation initiatives and digital reforms improving immigration and border policies, making Nigeria a more competitive business destination.
Idris reassured investors of Nigeria’s political stability, with over 26 years of uninterrupted democracy and institutions such as the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission ensuring regulatory confidence. He noted that in just 20 months, the Tinubu administration has recorded 3.84% GDP growth, increased revenues by 20%, and significantly improved fiscal sustainability.
As part of his Paris visit, Idris will also engage with French media and cultural institutions, aiming to deepen Nigeria-France relations in trade, media, and technology. He invited French companies, especially in agribusiness, to explore Nigeria’s livestock sector, citing new investment opportunities under the Ministry for Livestock Development.
