The France-Nigeria Business Council has been inaugurated by French President, Emmanuel Macron.
According to reports, the council is a private sector initiative to enhance business relations between the two countries with Abdul Samad Rabiu, Founder and Chairman of Nigeria’s BUA Group emerging its inaugural President.
Other members of the newly inaugurated council include Gilbert Chagoury of Chagoury Group, Mike Adenuga of Globacom and Conoil, Aliko Dangote of Dangote Industries, Tony Elumelu, Chairman UBA & Heirs Holdings, and Herbert Wigwe, CEO, Access Bank as the Nigerian members of the council.
The largest French companies including Dassault, Danone, Axens, Ponticelli and Total Energies are also members of the council.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the council in Paris on the sidelines of the Business France Summit in Versailles, France, Rabiu thanked President Macron for his vision in creating the French Nigeria Business Council, which has led to a reset in the business relationship between Nigeria and France and has created a viable platform for business from both countries to partner and improve business ties.
According to Rabiu: “Nigeria is blessed with numerous potentials for French companies to do business across different areas, notably solid minerals, mining, manufacturing, agriculture, associated equipment, power, food processing, and even in the business of associated equipment or infrastructure for the value chains of these sectors.
“Where French businesses have formerly been risk-averse or outrightly unable to do business with Africa’s largest economy, they can now be assured of a platform through which they can penetrate and mutually grow the market.
“Where Nigerian companies had not seen French companies or the French market as a viable destination due to a lack of information, they can now be sure of a platform to facilitate this.This is all thanks to President Macron’s foresight and vision.”
Rabiu also thanked Macron for appointing him to be the first President of the France-Nigeria Business Council and pledged to use the platform to create better opportunities for businesses on both sides.
While speaking, President Macron, praised the BUA Chairman and newly appointed president of the council for having confidence in French businesses which led to a partnership for BUA’s new 200,000barrels per day refinery.
He also pledged his government’s support to facilitating better dialogue amongst the Nigerian businesses present and their French counterparts.
