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Energy stakeholders call for stronger investment, technology transfer and local content development to deepen Nigeria-France cooperation.
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NLNG says Train 7 construction is about 94 percent complete and is expected to raise production capacity from 22 to 30 million tonnes annually.
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NLNG says it has generated $149.6bn in revenue, paid $47.9bn in dividends and remitted $10.5bn in taxes since operations began.
November 4, (THEWILL) – Nigeria and France are seeking to deepen investment cooperation in the energy sector, with industry stakeholders identifying gas development, infrastructure, technology transfer and regulatory stability as priorities for unlocking Nigeria’s energy potential.
The call was made at an energy roundtable organised by the Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry as part of the 2026 French Week.
Participants from the energy industry, government and diplomatic community said stronger collaboration between both countries could support investment in oil and gas, energy transition, decarbonisation and local capacity development.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TotalEnergies Nigeria, Matthieu Bouyer, said the energy sector presented significant opportunities to strengthen the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and France.
Bouyer said TotalEnergies, which has operated in Nigeria for 70 years, remained committed to developing local capacity, supporting Nigerian contractors and building long-term partnerships.
“We see Nigeria not just as a market, but as a long-term investment destination where we continue to develop people, work with local contractors and build partnerships”, he said.
He disclosed that more than 100 French companies operate in Nigeria across sectors such as energy, infrastructure, logistics, technology, agriculture and consumer goods, providing thousands of jobs.
Bilateral trade between Nigeria and France reached approximately $4.7bn in 2025, according to Bouyer, who said the figure reflected opportunities for stronger commercial engagement.
Gas Infrastructure, Technology Transfer Take Centre Stage
Bouyer identified energy transition and decarbonisation, gas infrastructure and domestic utilisation, as well as technology transfer and local content development as key areas for increased cooperation.
He argued that Nigeria’s energy transition should reflect its development priorities, particularly the need to expand energy supply while gradually reducing carbon emissions.
He said improved gas recovery, methane reduction and energy efficiency could deliver both environmental and economic benefits.
On gas development, Bouyer described Nigeria’s natural gas resources as an opportunity to expand electricity generation, manufacturing, exports and industrial activities. However, he said adequate infrastructure and a stable investment environment were necessary to attract the capital required to develop the sector.
He also called for partnerships that would help Nigerian companies acquire technical expertise and participate in more complex energy projects.
The Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Limited, Adeleye Falade, similarly described gas as central to Nigeria’s industrialisation and economic diversification.
Falade said Nigeria had approximately 215 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, while estimates of its wider gas resources stood at about 600 trillion cubic feet.
He argued that gas should be viewed not only as a transitional fuel but also as a foundation for industrial development, clean cooking, export earnings and economic growth.
“Nigeria’s energy transition must be just, realistic and investable,” he said, noting that Africa’s energy development challenges differed from those of Europe, particularly in access to reliable electricity.
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Train 7 Reaches 94 Percent Construction Completion
Falade cited NLNG’s Train 7 expansion project as an example of how international partnerships could support domestic industrial development and increase Nigeria’s gas production capacity.
He disclosed that engineering work on the project was 99.5 percent complete, procurement was 99.8 per cent complete, while construction had reached approximately 94 per cent.
Expected to commence operations towards the end of 2027, Train 7 will increase NLNG’s production capacity from 22 million tonnes per annum to approximately 30 million tonnes per annum.
Falade said the project had also created opportunities for Nigerian contractors and manufacturers, with local content accounting for about 95 per cent of project activities.
Approximately 16,000 people, largely young Nigerians, were engaged during construction, while wider project activities supported an estimated 40,000 jobs.
He said Nigerian companies had manufactured components including pressure vessels, cables and valves, demonstrating the capacity of local manufacturers to participate in major energy projects.
According to him, the skills and facilities developed through Train 7 could support future industrial projects and strengthen the competitiveness of Nigerian engineering companies.
On NLNG’s contribution to the economy, Falade disclosed that the company had generated approximately $149.6bn in revenue since commencing operations, paid $47.9bn in dividends and remitted about $10.5bn in taxes.
He said further expansion of production would increase government earnings through taxes, dividends and other payments.
Ogochukwu Onwaeze is a writer specializing in business and economic journalism. At THEWILL News Media, she translates market trends, financial developments, and policy shifts into clear and engaging stories.
