At a time when the international community had severed its diplomatic ties with Nigeria, owing to the cancellation of the presidential elections by the military, then the Ogoni crisis in 1995 and the sanctions imposed by the international community, the French Government still insisted on maintaining a presence in Nigeria.

Being present during this period made it possible for French companies not only to build a reputation of persistence and quality, but also to realise handsome profits. Nigeria presently places second among France commercial partners in sub-Saharan Africa and still maintains second place among France customers and first place amongst  France suppliers in the sub-region. At the world level in 2002,  Nigeria stood as France’s 45th customer and 38th supplier.

There are over a hundred French establishments in Nigeria (subsidiaries, branches and joint ventures). There are about 1,600 French nationals in the country, 50% of them are in the economic capital Lagos, 30% in the oil-producing region of the South-East (Port-Harcourt and Bonny), and 10% in the political capital Abuja. The remaining 10% are scattered over the territory. 

Key areas of French investment in Nigeria.

The French companies established in Nigeria number about a hundred (please contact us for the complete list), their operations are varied and centred on six main areas :

A leading factor in the Nigerian economy, this sector represents 88% of the French investments in Nigeria.Nigeria is Africa’s leading supplier of crude oil to  France,hose imports accounted for 1, 043 million euros in 2002. The signing of many big oil and gas contracts to the advantage of French companies, will have positive impact on French exports this year. Revolving around the two major companies Elf petroleum Nigeria Ltd and TOTAL Nigeria Plc, there are other oil and gas servicing/engineering companies like CGG, GEOSERVICE, EIFFEL, BOS, ETPM, PONTICELLI, TECHNIP, DELATTRE-BEZONS, DIETSMAN and SMF INTERNATIONAL to mention but a few.

Despite Japan’s significant predominance as regards importation of new and used vehicles, this sector remains the leading area of French export to Nigeria. When it comes to local manufacturing, the establishment of Peugeot accords it a choice position, it continues to benefit from an excellent image of quality and seriousness. The year 2002 witnessed the importation of three new models of Renault (Laguna, CLIO, Scénic) by CFAO.

Engineering is a sector which depends much on the federal budget, which explains the movement of builders towards the political capital Abuja. The federal executive plans to devote 3 Billion US Dollars to road projects over three years. A contract worth about 100 Million US Dollars has already been awarded for the construction of a road, the work will last for 30 months. The companies involved are BOUYGUES, DUMEZ, FOUGEROLLE, LAFARGE, SPIE BATIGNOLLE, SGE.

The Nigerian food market, which was traditionally Anglo-Saxon, seems to be changing and tending more and more towards the French products. An opening is available and it must be tapped.

managed by the national firm PHCN is in the process of being privatised, as a result of the alarming performance in terms of regularity and power supply. A sum of 17 billion NGN was to be devoted to electrification projects of 400 towns and villages in the country. The market is dominated by ABB and Siemens. The French players are Schneider and Merlin Gering for installation and small electrical equipment.

Mention can be made of ATOCHEM, RHÔNE-POULENC, MAY & BAKER, the SOCIÉTÉ COMMERCIALE DES POTASSES & DE L’AZOTE, and AIR LIQUIDE which have a stronghold in the industrial gas market.

CFAO, SCOA and BROSSETTE are firmly established in Nigeria and are making good profit.

The French are not very active in this sector, which is undergoing full expansion. GSMs are booming, a result of four licences granted to South-African, Zimbabwean and Nigerian groups and consortia. Moreover the public fixed telephony operator is in the process of privatization. This promises to be difficult in view of the heavy debts it is being owed.

The French presence is booming, especially with the Alcatel - Globacom contract for technical aid, Globacom having obtained a user licence.