Interview: Etienne Giros, Chairman of the French Council of Investors in Africa (CIAN)

How do you see Niger as a business destination?  

Etienne Giros - Le Niger was a good partner for the CIAN. It seems to me that the Nigerian authorities have a certain "desire for France" and are pro-business. There's a favourable business climate. Of course, this is part of a region in turmoil, the Sahel, with 'restless' neighbours... But Niger is a solid partner for France. In terms of general relations, there are nothing but positive elements.

What are the conditions for the emergence of a new MICE destination like Niamey?

Etienne Giros - Why not make Niamey a destination for forums and conferences? It's not very far from Paris, and Niger is even closer than Côte d'Ivoire. To attract forums and conferences, a number of conditions need to be met. In particular, an air link that offers sufficient flexibility and frequency. The other issue is obviously a properly equipped conference room. This implies a plenary session, three or four rooms for organising side events or round tables in parallel, and a place to organise networking. We also need top-of-the-range hotels of international standard, as well as simpler hotels close to the conference centre. This is what Dakar has done, for example, with the creation of the Abdou Diouf conference centre in Diamniadio, close to the airport. It's a centre that meets all the criteria I mentioned, with a Radisson hotel just 20 metres away. When the conditions are right, there's nothing stopping Niger from hosting events. There is no question of image or difficult bilateral relations that would prevent it.

What level of knowledge and confidence do French investors have in Niger?

Etienne Giros - Investors know Niger. There are no negative preconceptions, unlike in other countries where there may be security or political fears. You have to have projects, often backed by international financing if they are infrastructure projects. Unlike some of its neighbours who are under embargo, Niger is well regarded by the international community and can obtain this kind of funding more easily.

There is a growing anti-French sentiment in the region, which seems to be sparing Niger. Is this trend causing events and investments to be postponed to Niger?

Etienne Giros - Certainly, compared to Mali or Burkina Faso, Niger is a more welcoming destination today. However, anti-French sentiment is above all anti-French politics. It is not a feeling against the French as such or against French companies. It is a feeling that is manipulated by foreign forces or internal adversaries, against French diplomatic policy, its history and above all its military policy. And this concerns very few countries. In France, we make a big fuss about anti-French sentiment, but we would be better advised to talk about anti-French policy sentiment, and it is far from widespread.