The Minister for Foreign Trade and Attractiveness of France, Franck Riester, traveled to Nigeria from Monday 12 April to Wednesday 14 April, in particular to prepare for the May 18 Summit on Financing the African Economy and the Africa Summit – France from Montpellier, scheduled for July. After an exchange in Abuja with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, he went to Lagos on Wednesday, where he met several senior executives, members of the Franco-Nigerian Investment Club launched in July 2019 by Emmanuel Macron.
as reported from Lagos, Liza Fabbian
Nigeria is still France’s largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa and the fourth on the continent. And this despite the fact that these exchanges recorded a decline due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Foreign Ministers responsible for foreign trade, Franck Riester, visiting the country:
“We had a cruise speed of between $ 4 and $ 5 billion in trade. We fell to $ 2.3 billion in 2020. I am very optimistic for 2021 and 2022. In any case, we will mobilize for. That’s why I’m here too. ”
Peugeot’s imminent uprising in Nigeria
Oil imports make up the bulk of trade between the two countries. In September, Franck Riester followed the signing of a partnership between the French group Axens and the Nigerian BUA for construction of a refinery in Akwa Ibom. “This refinery can open in three or four years. Nigeria continues to import almost all the refined petroleum it consumes. Nigeria alone represents a huge market in this sector, says BUA Group President Abdul Samad Rabiu.
The French delegation also visited Lagos Aliko dangote, the richest man in Africa. “We have an agreement to revive Peugeot in Nigeria. And we hope to be able to start production of cars in Kaduna at least in June or July, the latter said.
Franck Riester insisted on the need for a lasting and reciprocal Franco-Nigerian partnership in all sectors of the economy.
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