France-Nigeria Trade Reached N18.56 Trillion Since 2023
As investment grows, operators should monitor localized expansion in Nigerian infrastructure, entertainment, and hospitality.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in International Trade
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Total trade between Nigeria and France reached N18.56 trillion since 2023, accompanied by $233.22 million in French investments from 2023 to 2025. The shift underscores a deepening economic partnership between the two nations across multiple key sectors.
Why it matters
President Tinubu is prioritizing capital inflows that strengthen domestic infrastructure and create jobs for the Nigerian workforce. This strategy has prompted French firms to localize operations, moving from traditional trade toward deeper integration in film, fiber-optics, and hospitality.
Total trade hit N18.56 trillion since 2023, while French investment reached $233.22 million between 2023 and 2025. Currently, 100 French companies employ 10,000 workers in Nigeria.
The players
Bola Tinubu
President of Nigeria who is actively seeking foreign direct investment to expand domestic infrastructure and workforce employment.
Emmanuel Macron
President of France who is overseeing bilateral economic cooperation initiatives with Nigerian leadership.
Accor
A multinational hospitality company operating a large portfolio of hotel brands, currently expanding into the Nigerian market.
Bolloré Group
A French conglomerate with diversified international interests in transport, logistics, and communication, now localizing operations in Nigeria.
The details
French companies are increasingly shifting from direct export models to localized operations within Nigeria. For instance, Accor and Shoreline Group have formalized an agreement to build a national hotel platform, while the Bolloré Group is expanding into local entertainment and fiber-optic infrastructure. These moves follow the 10th France-Nigeria Business Council meeting, which prioritized economic cooperation and infrastructure development.
Timeline
Trade between 2020 and 2022 totaled N4.71 trillion.
Investments between 2023 and 2025 reached $233.22 million.
Goods trade in 2025 totaled 4.7 billion euros.
President Tinubu and President Macron met on September 18, 2026.
Market Landscape
The push for local infrastructure integration follows the collaborative framework set by the 10th France-Nigeria Business Council meeting. This trend marks a shift away from traditional import-heavy trade toward direct domestic capacity building by foreign firms.
Operators should monitor local infrastructure and hospitality sectors for new partnership opportunities or increased competition. Firms looking to enter the Nigerian market should note the growing preference for projects that include local hiring and regional operational integration.
The takeaway
The successful localization of foreign firms in Nigeria relies on aligning capital inflows with domestic job creation goals. Businesses should track sectoral investment figures and partnership announcements from the France-Nigeria Business Council to identify shifts in market entry requirements.
Further reading
For broader trends in cross-border economic activity, see International Trade.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Economic Confidential.
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