France is strengthening its cultural, creative, and technological partnership with Nigeria, signalling a new chapter in Franco–African relations that blends art, innovation, and sustainable development.
The commitment was reaffirmed in Lagos over the weekend at the Forum Création Africa, the continent’s largest gathering dedicated to creative and cultural industries. The forum, organised by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs in collaboration with MansA, drew over a thousand participants from 42 countries, including 80 Nigerian creators spanning film, gaming, design, and extended reality.
Jean-Noël Barrot, France’s minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, told BusinessDay, at the sideline of the event that, the forum underscores a deepening bond between France and Nigeria across culture, economy, and technology.
“France is at the forefront of creative and cultural industries in Europe, and Nigeria leads in Africa. There is a lot we can achieve together by bringing our talents, energies, and entrepreneurs into the same space, just as we are doing today in Lagos,” Barrot said.
Read also: CBN, Brazil central bank strengthen ties on fintech, financial stability, remittances
This second edition of the forum, first held in France last year, fulfills a promise made by president Emmanuel Macron to president Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his visit to France. Barrot said the relocation of the forum to Lagos was a natural step, given Nigeria’s growing influence in film, music, design, and digital innovation.
“When Macron met Tinubu in France last year, he promised that the second edition would be held in Lagos and today, that promise has been kept,” Barrot said.
The minister noted that the relationship between both nations has never been as intense, with increased exchanges between their governments, companies, and civil societies. “Macron came to Nigeria in 2018. Tinubu was in France last year. Since then, both countries have built a partnership of equals, one that serves their strategic autonomy. We have had a huge amount of interaction, including hosting eight Nigerian governors in Paris and celebrating African talents like Davido at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” he said.
Beyond cultural diplomacy, Barrot highlighted France’s investment in sustainable transport, education, and technology as part of its collaboration with Nigeria.
One major example is the Omi Eko Project, a €410 million initiative co-funded by France and the European Union to modernize water transportation in Lagos. The project will introduce 75 electric boats and open 15 new routes spanning 140 kilometres, designed to reduce travel time, improve affordability, and cut 41,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually. “This project will deliver decarbonised water transport for Lagos, helping the city resist rising sea levels while reducing its carbon footprint,” Barrot said.
Read also: U.S. Consulate helps create economic opportunities for 120 emerging technicians
The French minister also inaugurated the newly renovated French School of Lagos, which serves both French and Nigerian students, reflecting the shared educational and cultural values between the two nations.
France’s growing footprint in Nigeria’s creative economy extends beyond physical infrastructure. Barrot noted that the Création Africa Forum serves as a platform to connect African creators with European investors, digital innovators, and policymakers, a collaboration designed to empower local talent and promote fair participation in the global creative ecosystem.
During the forum, discussions explored how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the creative landscape in Africa. Artists and technologists from across the continent called for the ethical use of AI to enhance, not replace, human creativity, and for governments to invest in homegrown AI models that reflect African languages, values, and cultural realities.
“Technology is another field ripe for collaboration. France, Nigeria, and Europe share a common vision for development, rooted in multilateralism and respect for international law. We want to innovate and develop our own tools to strengthen our autonomy while ensuring regulation protects citizens without stifling innovation,” Barrot said.
Read also: Nigerian fintechs partner to unlock study abroad opportunities for African students
The minister also attended the opening of the Fela Kuti Exhibition in Lagos, the largest ever organized, which France previously hosted in Paris. The exhibition celebrates Fela’s global influence and marks another symbol of the growing cultural exchange between both nations.
From the rhythms of Afrobeat to the rise of African digital art, the Lagos forum showcased how creative collaboration can bridge continents. For France and Nigeria, the partnership now extends beyond music and cinema, as it is a shared bet on technology, sustainability, and the power of innovation to shape a fairer global economy.
“From culture to economy to infrastructure, our cooperation is accelerating and delivering tangible results. This is the future of France–Nigeria relations — creative, digital, and collaborative,” Barrot affirmed.
