FMN, France deepen trade ties at 2026 PIAS

L-R: Chief of Staff to the Chairman (FMN), Ms. Anastasia Athanasiou; Founder/Group Chairman, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Jim Ovia; MD, FMN Agro & Director, Strategic Engagement/Stakeholder Relations, Mr. Sadiq Usman; Group MD/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Adaora Umeoji; and the Secretary to the France Nigerian Business Council (FNBC), Mr. Jean Haas, during the official inauguration of the Nigerian Pavilion at the 62nd Paris International Agricultural Show, Paris, France.

L-R: Chief of Staff to the Chairman (FMN), Ms. Anastasia Athanasiou; Founder/Group Chairman, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Jim Ovia; MD, FMN Agro & Director, Strategic Engagement/Stakeholder Relations, Mr. Sadiq Usman; Group MD/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Adaora Umeoji; and the Secretary to the France Nigerian Business Council (FNBC), Mr. Jean Haas, during the official inauguration of the Nigerian Pavilion at the 62nd Paris International Agricultural Show, Paris, France.

To foster valuable partnerships that will strengthen market penetration for Nigerian-made products, Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN) has once again partnered with the French government for the 2026 Paris International Agricultural Show (PIAS) (Salon International de l’Agriculture, SIA).

The annual International Fair, which started on February 21, 2026 and will conclude on March 1, 2026, remains one of the most widely attended agricultural shows with thousands of people from across the world in attendance. In 2025, the show welcomed 607,503 visitors, nearly 4,000 animals, and over 1,000 exhibitors.

The Pan-African Food and Agro-Giant, FMN, has maintained a proven record of commitment to fostering food self-sufficiency in Nigeria and in nurturing valuable relationships that will transform Nigeria’s international trade outlook. As a member of the France-Nigeria Business Council (FNBC), FMN is now a second-time sponsor and partner for the Salon International de l’Agriculture, following the success of the first outing in 2024. This year, through the PIAS, the theme, “Generations Solution” is being explored to foster knowledge transfer from younger generations and structure processes through which knowledge can be harnessed to drive technological advancement within the global agricultural sector.  Speaking on the invaluable nature of the relationship between Nigeria and France, and the FMN’s commitment to process and product innovation, Mr. John G. Coumantaros stated that, “the France – Nigeria relationship is a valuable partnership built on a shared value agenda that fosters remarkable intercontinental trade growth.

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.”

In his address on the inaugural day of the Nigerian Pavilion, which took place on Monday, February 23, 2026, Mr. Sadiq Usman, the Managing Director, FMN Agro & Strategic Engagement/Stakeholder Relations, said, “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. We support this pavilion because FMN recognises that the next frontier of global agribusiness lies in high-level technical exchange. We thank the France-Nigeria Business Council (FNBC), the organisers of the PIAS, and our fellow members of the Nigerian Pavilion – Dangote, BUA, Zenith, Access, and our partners at Creativo El Matador and Soilless Farm Lab — we are exceedingly pleased to work to showcase the true face of Nigerian commerce.”

For over six decades, FMN has been a source of livelihood for millions of Nigerian families, and through its Pan-African vision, the company has continued to foster market diversification and expansion for Nigerian-made products.

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