President Bola Tinubu stated on Friday that his administration is working to attract more investment from the France-based Bolloré Group into Nigeria’s film, entertainment, fibre optics, and digital economy sectors.
Tinubu made this known in a post on his X handle following a meeting in Paris with Vincent Bolloré, chairman of Bolloré Group, and the company’s executives.
He noted that the talks centred on growing the group’s investments in Nigeria through its businesses, such as Canal+, MultiChoice, and Universal Music.
The president wrote, “Today in Paris, I met with Vincent Bolloré of Bolloré Group, and his executives for extensive discussions on expanding their investments in Nigeria across film, entertainment, fibre optics and the digital economy.
“Through Canal+, MultiChoice, Universal Music and other businesses, they are looking to do more in Nigeria.
“They see our country as the arrowhead of Africa’s cultural awakening, powered by Nollywood, Afrobeats and the growing global appetite for Nigerian culture.”
He stated that the meeting was held against the backdrop of the growing global reach of Nigerian music, films, fashion and culture.
“Nigeria is having a remarkable cultural moment in the world. Our music fills stadiums across continents. Our films and stories are reaching new audiences. Nigerian creativity, fashion and culture are commanding global attention.
“We must turn this moment into lasting economic value for our people,” he said.
Tinubu mentioned that the government wanted a greater share of the value generated by Nigerian talent to remain in the country through increased local production, investment in local industries and infrastructure, as well as job creation.
“I want more of the value created by Nigerian talent to remain in Nigeria. More production at home. Greater investment in our local industries and infrastructure. More opportunities and jobs for our young people,” he said.
The President stated that he has always championed increased localisation by MultiChoice and other companies doing business in the country.
He further noted that the government’s reforms were fostering an environment conducive to investment and economic growth.
“My responsibility is to ensure that these investments translate into real opportunities for Nigerians,” Tinubu said.
Bolloré is a well-known French businessman, and his family-run Bolloré Group holds 30.4% of Canal+, the French pay-TV and content company, as well as interests in Universal Music Group, Havas, and other businesses.
Canal+ has grown rapidly across Africa and has finalized its takeover of MultiChoice Group, the South African pay-TV provider with a major presence in Nigeria via DStv and related services.
The talks in Paris are part of Tinubu’s continued push to attract international investors to Nigeria’s non-oil sectors while he travels in Europe.
On Thursday, Tinubu met French President Emmanuel Macron for a private dinner at the Élysée Palace in Paris.
The dinner was made public by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a post on X on Friday.
Onanuga stated that the meeting highlighted the lasting ties between Nigeria and France and their mutual dedication to deepening bilateral cooperation.
Tinubu is spending three weeks of annual leave in Europe.↻ He began on August 30 with a trip to London in the United Kingdom.
He reached Paris, France, on Sunday for the second part of the vacation.
