Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc (FMN) has reinforced commercial relations between Nigeria and France through its participation in the 62nd edition of the Paris International Agricultural Show, widely known as Salon International de l’Agriculture, held in Paris. The event, regarded as one of the largest global agricultural exhibitions, brought together agribusiness stakeholders, policymakers, and companies from several countries to explore trade and technological collaboration.
FMN partnered with the French government and other stakeholders at the exhibition as part of a broader strategy to deepen agricultural cooperation and widen market opportunities for Nigerian products. The initiative reflects a growing emphasis on international partnerships aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s agribusiness sector and expanding the global presence of locally produced goods.
The Paris agricultural show serves as a strategic platform for countries and corporations seeking to showcase innovations in agriculture, livestock, food processing, and related technologies. The exhibition began on February 21 and concluded on March 1, 2026, drawing participants and exhibitors from across the world. In the previous year, the fair recorded more than 600,000 visitors and over 1,000 exhibitors, highlighting its relevance to global agricultural trade.
FMN’s involvement in the exhibition also reflects its role as a member of the France Nigeria Business Council, a platform designed to enhance trade and economic cooperation between both countries. By supporting the Nigerian Pavilion at the event, the company aimed to promote Nigerian agribusiness capabilities while facilitating technical exchanges and new investment opportunities.
Speaking on the importance of the partnership, the Group Chairman of FMN, John G. Coumantaros, emphasised the economic value of the relationship between the two countries. According to him, “The France–Nigeria relationship is a valuable partnership built on a shared value agenda that fosters remarkable intercontinental trade growth.”
He further noted that the company’s longstanding presence in Nigeria and across Africa has been guided by continuous innovation. In his words, “Also, as an organisation with over six decades of transformational footprint in Nigeria and progressively across the African continent, FMN has been unwaveringly committed to product and process innovation. Therefore, our continuous partnership with France for the success of the Paris International Agricultural Show further buttresses the thriving relationship between both countries.”
The exhibition also featured the official inauguration of the Nigerian Pavilion, where FMN representatives highlighted the company’s mission and strategic outlook for the agricultural sector.
Sadiq Usman, Managing Director of FMN Agro and Director of Strategic Engagement and Stakeholder Relations, explained that the company’s participation aligns with its long standing corporate vision. He stated, “At FMN, our mission is Feeding and Enriching Lives Every Day. This is a mandate we have fulfilled through decades of economic shifts, rooted in a culture of deep resilience and constant innovation.”
Usman added that global agribusiness growth increasingly depends on collaboration, technical exchange, and innovation. Through the Nigerian Pavilion, participating organisations sought to demonstrate the strength of Nigeria’s private sector and highlight opportunities within the country’s agricultural value chain.
Major Nigerian corporate groups were represented at the pavilion, including companies such as Dangote, BUA, Zenith Bank and Access Bank, alongside other partners involved in agribusiness and technology development. Their participation underscored the private sector’s role in advancing Nigeria’s international trade ambitions.
For FMN, the event represents part of a broader effort to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural value chains while positioning the country as a competitive player in global food markets. With more than six decades of operations in Nigeria, the company continues to focus on food security, market diversification, and innovation within the agro industrial sector.
Its presence at the Paris International Agricultural Show therefore signals a strategic commitment to expanding Nigeria’s global trade footprint while strengthening economic diplomacy through private sector collaboration.
