The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged French investors to explore Nigeria’s growing investment opportunities, anchored on robust economic reforms and a dynamic, youthful market.
Speaking at the Nigeria Business Forum in Paris, organized by Business France, the Minister addressed over 200 French companies, praising long-standing investors such as TotalEnergies, Danone, Schneider Electric, and Lafarge for their roles in Nigeria’s development across energy, infrastructure, healthcare, and agriculture.
Idris emphasized that under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria is implementing bold structural reforms to unlock private sector growth. These include the unification of the foreign exchange market, removal of fuel subsidies, cost-reflective electricity tariffs, and digital transformation. Other key initiatives include tax reforms, trade facilitation via a National Single Window, and immigration policy overhauls to ease movement and trade.
Nigeria’s appeal as an investment destination is grounded in its position as Africa’s largest economy, a population of over 220 million (with 70% under age 35), and over two decades of uninterrupted democratic governance.
Idris highlighted major achievements in just 20 months of Tinubu’s administration: a GDP growth rate of 3.84% in Q1 2024, revenue growth of over 20%, and reduced debt servicing pressure.
Strategic vehicles such as the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF), Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CrediCorp), and MOFI Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF) are attracting private capital into infrastructure, real estate, and consumer markets.
He also noted the expansion of Nigerian banks to Europe and emphasized growing cooperation between both nations in media, creative industries, and digital technology.
Idris invited French investors to explore Nigeria’s agribusiness sector, especially livestock, now prioritized under the newly created Ministry for Livestock Development. He referenced Danone’s expertise in dairy as a model for future partnerships.
In addition to the forum, the Minister will engage French media and cultural institutions such as France Médias Monde and ARCOM, reinforcing bilateral ties in broadcasting and information exchange.
