To aid the Nigerian entrepreneurs’ creative and cultural industries, France has pledged to invest 1.2 million Euros. Already business between the two countries last year was 4.2 million Euros.
This was revealed at a media summit in Lagos by HE. Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, the Minister of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships, France.
She said it was in line with the vital re-establishment of diplomatic relationships in the future months. She also said it is important to discuss peace and stability in the country as Nigeria is a key member in addressing challenges within the region.
The Minister further disclosed the signing of two finance mediation in the sum of 20 million Euros with the President of, ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray to provide ECOWAS a secure aid in the agricultural area. This she said, was done during her discussion with the ECOWAS president on expansion and security of the region during her first five-day visit to Nigeria.
Her visit she said, was also to represent French President Emmanuel Macron and European Union (EU) in witnessing the inauguration of the president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu.
The experience of her visit and relationship with Nigerians has made her realize how creative and energetic the citizens are she added. In her actual words, she quoted; “It’s clear that anglophone African countries are just as important partners as Francophonie African countries,” she added.
The French Minister stated that the French’s first business associate in sub-Saharan Africa is Nigeria based on the business interaction of 4.2 billion Euros between the two countries in 2022.
Due to this, she mentioned that collaboration in the area of the creative and culture sector was the main focus of her visit and as such they plan to bring in more French movies to the African country.
She concluded by saying that though there are close to 80 French movies in the country, there is still a need to bring in more as they plan to increase the French’s economic stand in Nigeria.
Because they realize that culture is a means for employment and economic growth since it is an area the French invest a lot in and is a policy that has been existing for many years.
The 10 Alliance Francaises across the Nigerian country have created a vast network of centers for communication between the thespians.
