Nigeria and France are seeking to deepen cooperation and attract increased investment in the energy sector, with a particular focus on oil, gas and the energy transition.

The commitment was made during an energy roundtable organised as part of the 2026 French Week by the Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Participants from the energy industry, government and diplomatic community identified gas development, energy transition, decarbonisation, technology transfer and local content development as key areas for expanding economic cooperation between the two countries.

Managing Director of TotalEnergies Nigeria, Matthieu Bouyer, highlighted the need for greater collaboration in these areas. He noted that bilateral trade between Nigeria and France reached approximately $4.7 billion in 2025.

Bouyer stressed that Nigeria’s energy transition must balance the need to increase energy supply with efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

French companies such as TotalEnergies, SPIE and Schneider Electric were cited as important contributors to Nigeria’s energy and industrial development.

Particular attention was drawn to TotalEnergies’ $550 million Ubeta gas development project, being undertaken in partnership with NNPC Limited. The project is expected to deliver first gas in 2027 and supply feedstock to NLNG’s Train 7 expansion.

Stakeholders emphasised that improved infrastructure, regulatory stability and stronger local content would help unlock Nigeria’s full energy potential.