France is strengthening its cultural, creative and technological partnership with Nigeria, signaling a new chapter in Franco-African relations that blends arts, innovation and sustainable development.
The commitment was confirmed at Forum Creation Africa in Lagos over the weekend, the continent's largest gathering dedicated to the creative and cultural industries. Organized by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs in collaboration with MANSA, the forum was attended by over a thousand participants from 42 countries, including 80 Nigerian creators in the fields of film, gaming, design and extended reality.
The forum underlines the deep ties between France and Nigeria in the fields of culture, economy and technology, Jean-Noel Barrot, France's Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, told BusinessDay on the sidelines of the event.
Barrot said, “France is at the forefront of creative and cultural industries in Europe, and Nigeria is a leader in Africa. We can achieve a lot by bringing together our talent, energy and entrepreneurs in one place, as we are doing today in Lagos.”
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This second edition of the Forum, which was 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 it was a natural move to move the forum to Lagos 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 said relations between the two countries have never been closer, with exchanges between their governments, companies and civil societies growing. “Macron came to Nigeria in 2018. Tinubu was in France last year. Since then, the two countries have built a partnership of equals that serves their strategic autonomy. We have interacted extensively, including hosting eight Nigerian governors in Paris and celebrating African talents like Davido at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
Beyond cultural diplomacy, Barrot highlighted France's investments in sustainable transport, education and technology as part of its cooperation with Nigeria.
A prime example is the Omi Eko Project, a €410 million initiative co-funded by France and the EU to modernize water transport in Lagos. The project will introduce 75 electric boats and open 15 new routes spanning 140 kilometres, designed to reduce journey times, improve affordability and cut CO₂ emissions by 41,000 tonnes annually. “This project will provide decarbonized water transportation for Lagos, helping the city resist rising sea levels while reducing its carbon footprint,” Barrot said.
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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 countries.
France's growing reach in Nigeria's creative economy extends beyond physical infrastructure. Barrot said the Creation Africa Forum serves as a platform to connect African creators with European investors, digital innovators and policy makers, adding that the collaboration is designed to empower local talent and promote fair participation in the global creative ecosystem.
During the forum, discussions revealed how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the creative landscape in Africa. Artists and technologists across the continent called for the ethical use of AI to replace human creativity, not enhance it, and called on governments to invest in home-grown AI models that reflect African languages, values, and cultural realities.
“Technology is another area ripe for cooperation. France, Nigeria and Europe share a similar approach to development, rooted in multilateralism and respect for international law. We want to innovate and develop our own tools to strengthen our autonomy, while ensuring that regulation protects citizens without stifling innovation,” Barrot said.
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The Minister also attended the inauguration of the Fela Kuti Exhibition in Lagos, the largest ever event, which France had previously hosted in Paris. The exhibition celebrates Fela's global influence and is another symbol of the growing cultural exchange between the two countries.
From the rhythms of Afrobeat to the rise of African digital art, the Lagos Forum showed 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 the power of technology, sustainability and innovation to shape a fairer global economy.
“From culture to economy to infrastructure, our cooperation is accelerating and delivering concrete results. This is the future of France-Nigeria relations – creative, digital and collaborative,” Barrot affirmed.
