The Chairman of BUA Group, Mr Abdul Samad Rabiu, has been appointed as the inaugural president of France-Nigeria Business Council which was launched by French President, Emmanuel Macron.
Other members of the Council are Gilbert Chagoury of Chagoury Group; Mike Adenuga of Globacom and Conoil; Aliko Dangote of Dangote Industries; Tony Elumelu, Chairman UBA & Heirs Holdings, and Herbert Wigwe, CEO, Access Bank as the Nigerian members of the council.
The largest French companies including Dassault, Danone, Axens, Ponticelli and Total Energies are also members of the council.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the council in Paris, a statement quoted to have thanked Macron for his vision in creating the French Nigeria Business Council which he said had led to a reset in the business relationship between Nigeria and France and has created a viable platform for business from both countries to partner and improve business ties.
According to Rabiu, “Nigeria is blessed with numerous potentials for French companies to do business across different areas, notably solid minerals, mining, manufacturing, agriculture, associated equipment, power, food processing, and even in the business of associated equipment or infrastructure for the value chains of these sectors.
“Where French businesses have formerly been risk-averse or outrightly unable to do business with Africa’s largest economy, they can now be assured of a platform through which they can penetrate and mutually grow the market.
Where Nigerian companies had not seen French companies or the French market as a viable destination due to a lack of information, they can now be sure of a platform to facilitate this. This is all thanks to President Macron’s foresight and vision.”
