ECONOMY
What are the Different types of Citizenship in France?
What are the Different types of Citizenship in France?
Are you considering a move to France on a permanent basis? If so, then getting a Citizenship should be one of your top concerns. In other to live and work in France freely, and enjoy the numerous benefits the French society has to offer, you must become a legal resident and citizen of the country. Are you curious about the type of citizenship available in France? Search no further, in this article we will go over the different types of citizenship in France and their requirements.
As you know, citizenship is an essential aspect of being a member of any country. It serves as a form of identity showing your affiliation with a particular country. There are ways to become a French citizenship. You could become a French citizen via birth, Naturalization, marriage, adoption, etc. Note that there exist specific requirements and eligibility for each type of citizenship. So if you’re thinking about becoming a citizen of France, carefully read through this article to see the different ways you can become a part of this great country.
Introduction to France Citizenship
Citizenship can be described as a type of legal status or identify that shows that you have become a part of a particular society. Citizenship is granted to individuals who have been recognized by the French Government as part of their nation, and have become citizens. Becoming a citizen of France grants you access to a range of rights and privileges which includes the right to live and work in France, the right to vote in French elections, and access to Government facilities.
To acquire the France citizenship and become a French national an individual must meet certain eligibility criteria, and requirements based on the type of citizenship he/she is applying for. There are several ways to become a French national. You can become a French national through marriage, naturalization, adoption, etc. The various ways to become a French national will be discussed in detail as you continue reading this article.
France is one of the world’s global powers, and as such, its citizenship is highly valued around the world. If becoming a French citizen is your goal, then check out the following types of Citizenship you can apply for in France below.
Types of Citizenship in France
There are 5 main types of citizenship recognized by the France government, they include:
- Citizenship by birth: This type of citizenship is open to individuals born in France to at least one French parent.
- Citizenship by descent: This type of Citizenship is open to individuals born outside of France to at least one French parent.
- Citizenship by marriage: This type of citizenship is open to Foreign nationals who have been married to a French citizen for at least four years.
- Citizenship by naturalization: This type of citizenship is open to foreign nationals who have resided legally in France for at least five years.
- Citizenship by adoption: This type of citizenship is open to children adopted by French citizens.
Note: France Government recognizes dual citizenship, hence, you can hold both French citizenship and the citizenship of another country.
Citizenship By Birth
France citizenship by birth is a type of citizenship granted to individuals born on French soil to at least one French parent. This type of citizenship provides a number of benefits and privileges to the bearer, including:
- The right to live and work in France without any restrictions.
- The ability to vote in French elections and participate in the democratic process.
- Access to social services and benefits, including healthcare and education.
- The ability to apply for a French passport and travel freely within the European Union.
- The ability to pass on French citizenship to any children born in the future.
Note: Being born on French soil alone doesn’t necessary make you eligible for this type of citizenship, one of your parent must be a French citizen to be eligible for citizenship by birth.
Citizenship by Descent
France citizenship by descent is a type of citizenship that is granted to individuals born outside of France to at least one French parent. This type of citizenship provides a number of benefits and privileges to the bearer, they include:
- The right to live and work in France without any restrictions.
- The ability to vote in French elections and participate in the democratic process.
- Access to social services and benefits, including healthcare and education.
- The ability to apply for a French passport and travel freely within the European Union.
To be able to obtain the France citizenship through descent, one of your parent must be a French citizen at the time of your birth. Also, when applying for French citizenship through descent, you will be required to provide documentations that proves your connection to your French parent. This documentation would include your birth certificate or proof of parentage. Once your request for citizenship is granted, you will be entitled to all the rights and privileges as any other French citizen.
Citizenship by Marriage
Citizenship by marriage is a type of citizenship that is granted to foreign nationals who have been married to a French citizen for at least four years. This type of citizenship comes with certain number of benefits and privileges, including:
- The right to live and work in France without any restrictions.
- The ability to vote in French elections and participate in the democratic process.
- Access to social services and benefits, including healthcare and education.
- The ability to apply for a French passport and travel freely within the European Union.
To be eligible for citizenship through marriage, you must have been married to a French citizen for at least four years. Also, you must be able to prove that the marriage is genuine and not a type of means of obtaining French citizenship illegally.
Once your citizenship application is approved and granted, you will become entitled to all the rights and privileges as any other French citizen.
Citizenship by Naturalization
Naturalization is another way to get a Citizenship in France. This type of citizenship that can be obtained by foreign nationals who have resided in France for at least five years. This type of citizenship provides a number of benefits and privileges to the bearer, including:
- The right to live and work in France without any restrictions.
- The ability to vote in French elections and participate in the democratic process.
- Access to social services and benefits, including healthcare and education.
- The ability to apply for a French passport and travel freely within the European Union.
To be eligible for Naturalization, you must reside in France legally for at least five years and must be able to prove your integration into the French society. Additionally, you must be able to support yourself financially and must not have any criminal record.
Once the citizenship is granted, you will full-fledged French citizen, and will be entitled to all the same rights and privileges as any other French citizen.
Citizenship by Adoption
France citizenship by adoption is a type of citizenship that is granted to foreign children adopted by French citizens. This type of citizenship provides a number of benefits and privileges to the adopted children, including:
- The right to live and work in France without any restrictions.
- The ability to access social services and benefits, including healthcare and education.
- The ability to apply for a French passport and travel freely within the European Union.
Note that for citizenship by adoption, the child must under the age of 18 years during the adoption process, and must have been legally adopted by French citizens. Also, the child must not have any criminal record and must not have been adopted solely for the purpose of obtaining a citizenship.
Once the citizenship is approved and granted, the child will automatically become a French citizen and will be entitled to all the rights and privileges as any other French citizen.
How to Apply for France Citizenship
Are you ready to get your French citizenship? Great! After going through the eligibility criteria for each type of citizenship as illustrated above, you should be able to know the best type of citizenship for you to apply for. Note that the application process will differ slightly depending on the type of citizenship you are applying for. However, the general procedures for the application of French citizenship is illustrated below:
- Citizenship by Birth: There is no formal application process for citizenship by birth. If you are born in France to least one French parent, then you are automatically a French citizen through the citizenship by birth law.
- Citizenship by Decent: To apply for citizenship by descent, you must provide documentation proving your connection to your French parent, such as your birth certificate or proof of parentage. After providing the necessary proof and documentation, submit your application for citizenship to the local French consulate or embassy.
- Citizenship by Marriage: To apply for citizenship by marriage, you must be married to a French citizen, and the marriage must have lasted for at least four years. Also, you must have a good knowledge of the French language and culture. If you meet these requirements, then You submit an application for citizenship to your local French prefecture.
- Citizenship by Naturalization: To apply for this type of citizenship, you must have legally resided in France for at least five years, and must not have any criminal record. The application process for this type of citizenship is relatively fast, and easy. However, you will be required to prove your integration into the French society.
- Citizenship by Adoption: Application for citizenship by adoption is carried out by the parent. The adoptive parents must submit an application for citizenship on behalf of the adopted child to their local French prefecture.
Note that the application process for citizenship can be quite complex sometimes, and may take up to several months for completion, depending on the type of citizenship and your unique situation.
Conclusion
There you have it! Everything you need to know about the different types of citizenship in France, from birthright citizenship to naturalization and more. As you can see, the requirements and benefits of each type of citizenship vary, but they all offer individuals the opportunity to become a part of the vibrant French community. So if you’re thinking about applying for a French citizenship, check if you’re eligible and prepare appropriately for the application.
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BUSINESS
DealMakers AFRICA Recognizes Top Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dealmakers in West Africa

West Africa’s most significant mergers and acquisitions, along with the financial and legal advisers behind them, have been recognised in the recently released 2024 DealMakers AFRICA Annual Awards. The awards highlight transactions that have shaped the region’s corporate landscape, acknowledging the firms and individuals driving complex deals across industries.
The DealMakers AFRICA awards are determined primarily by objective criteria, assessing the value and number of transactions recorded. However, three categories—Deal of the Year, Private Equity Deal of the Year, and Individual DealMaker of the Year—are selected based on nominations from advisory firms. These are evaluated based on factors such as deal complexity, transformational impact, and potential value creation.

DealMakers AFRICA Recognizes Top Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dealmakers in West Africa
In the West Africa Deal of the Year category, four major transactions were shortlisted. These included Olam Agri’s acquisition of Avisen, Chappal Energies’ purchase of Equinor’s Nigerian business, Renaissance Africa Energy’s acquisition of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, and the acquisition of Flour Mills by Excelsior Shipping. The winning deal in this category was the acquisition of Shell Petroleum Development Company by Renaissance Africa Energy, a transaction that aligns with Nigeria’s broader objective of increasing local participation in the energy sector. The deal saw ownership of critical onshore assets consolidated under a consortium of Nigerian companies, reinforcing local players’ roles in the industry. PwC Nigeria, Banwo & Ighodalo, Clifford Chance, White & Case, and G. Elias served as advisers on the transaction.
For the Private Equity Deal of the Year, three deals were in contention, including CardinalStone Partners’ exit from i-Fitness to Verod, Verod and its partners’ investment in Moniepoint, and Adenia Partners’ sale of Cresta Paints to Uhuru Investment Partners. The award was given to CardinalStone Partners for its exit from i-Fitness to Verod, a deal expected to drive i-Fitness’ next growth phase through Verod’s operational expertise and financial backing. The transaction was facilitated by Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria, CardinalStone Capital Partners, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, and Olaniwun Ajayi.
The Individual DealMaker of the Year award, sponsored for the second consecutive year by PSG Capital, recognised five shortlisted professionals: Akinola Akinboboye of Deloitte, Ayotunde Owoigbe of Banwo & Ighodalo, Azeezah Muse-Sadiq of Banwo & Ighodalo, Daniel Adeoye of Verod, and Yewande Senbore of Olaniwun Ajayi. The award went to Daniel Adeoye, a partner at Verod, for his role in executing high-value transactions in the region.
Adenia Partners’ acquisition of Air Liquide subsidiaries across Africa was recognised with the DealMakers AFRICA Special Recognition award. The deal spanned 12 countries across three regions, with Adenia committing up to €30 million over the next five years to strengthen and expand the newly formed entity, Erium. The transaction was advised by Decrop Consulting, Asafo & Co, Fidal Avocats, Deloitte, DPGS & Alliance Partners, and ClassM.
The awards also acknowledged the top-performing financial and legal advisory firms in West Africa’s mergers and acquisitions landscape. PwC emerged as the leading financial adviser by deal value, followed by Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria, Citigroup Global Markets, and Treadstone Resource Partners. Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria and Stanbic IBTC Capital shared the top spot for financial advisory by deal activity.
Banwo & Ighodalo was named the top legal adviser by deal value, ahead of Clifford Chance, G. Elias, and White & Case. In terms of deal flow, Banwo & Ighodalo secured the top position, followed by Olaniwun Ajayi and Herbert Smith Freehills.
For equity transactions, Stanbic IBTC Capital was ranked the top financial adviser by transaction value, while Templars led as the top legal adviser in the same category. In debt transactions, Afreximbank ranked highest by value, while Olaniwun Ajayi led in legal advisory.
DealMakers AFRICA, which launched its awards in 2000 in South Africa and expanded to the rest of the continent in 2008, continues to highlight key transactions that shape African economies. The latest rankings reflect the growing sophistication of West Africa’s mergers and acquisitions landscape, as local and international firms navigate complex deals that are reshaping industries across the region.
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ECONOMY
The Pan African Farmers’ Organization (PAFO) and African Development Bank Strengthen Partnership to Support Small-Scale Farmers

The Pan African Farmers’ Organization (PAFO) and the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) are strengthening their collaboration to enhance support for small-scale farmers across Africa. A PAFO delegation led by its President, Ibrahima Coulibaly, visited the Bank’s headquarters on December 13, 2024, to advance the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in October 2023.
Dr. Martin Fregene, Director of the Agriculture and Agro-industry, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to the partnership, highlighting its investments in agriculture, which have benefited over 14 million producers through initiatives that provide inputs and improve market access. He acknowledged persistent challenges in the sector and welcomed ideas from civil society organizations like PAFO to enhance the Bank’s impact.

The Pan African Farmers’ Organization (PAFO) and African Development Bank Strengthen Partnership to Support Small-Scale Farmers
Coulibaly outlined PAFO’s mission and strategic priorities to empower smallholder farmers and advocate for their rights, stressing the need for greater strategic support from the Bank to address challenges in agriculture, which has the potential to solve 80% of the continent’s problems.
The meeting culminated in plans to jointly host a High-Level Conference on Financing Small-Scale Farmers in the second quarter of 2025. This event will rally stakeholders to discuss the financial needs of small-scale farmers and explore sustainable solutions to improve livelihoods. Additionally, the two organizations agreed to develop a comprehensive action plan focusing on capacity building, technology integration, and access to finance, particularly for women and youth farmers.
“The Bank’s ‘Feed Africa’ strategy is an important step toward transforming Africa’s farming sector, and we are excited to work with the Bank to help shape this vision,” said Coulibaly. “Through this partnership, we are committed to helping farmers gain the support and resources they need to succeed, especially women and youth.”
This partnership aligns with the Bank’s ‘High 5’ priorities, particularly “Feed Africa,” and builds on its commitment to fostering collaboration with civil society organizations. The Bank recognizes the crucial role of such organizations in driving sustainable development.
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BUSINESS
Afreximbank and Ecobank partner to simplify trade and compliance for African businesses

The Ecobank Single Market Trade Hub connects registered businesses across Africa on a single platform, helping them benefit from opportunities in the unified market of 1.4 billion people created by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA)
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and Ecobank Group (www.Ecobank.com) have embarked on a collaboration aimed at simplifying trade and compliance for businesses in Africa by integrating Ecobank’s Single Market Trade Hub and Afreximbank’s MANSA Digital Repository Platform.

Afreximbank and Ecobank partner to simplify trade and compliance for African businesses
With the collaboration, African businesses will benefit from seamless shared services across the two platforms, with users of the Single Market Trade Hub able to easily leverage MANSA’s comprehensive database for efficient know-thy-customer (KYC) and customer due diligence (CDD) checks while MANSA platform users would, in turn, be able to directly connect to the Single Market Trade Hub to explore trade opportunities to expand their businesses across Africa.
The Ecobank Single Market Trade Hub connects registered businesses across Africa on a single platform, helping them benefit from opportunities in the unified market of 1.4 billion people created by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). It serves as a one-stop repository for the AfCFTA by providing small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) and corporates with insights about the agreement while its online match-making feature enables importers and exporters to upload their profiles and showcase goods and services they offer, or wish to source, with the aim of finding partners within Africa. Once a match is found, connections are made via the platform and the transaction can be concluded leveraging on Ecobank’s trade and payment solutions in 35 African markets.
The MANSA Digital Repository Platform, or MANSA, is a one-stop-shop for due diligence matters on all African entities. As a centralised digital repository, MANSA seeks to eliminate information asymmetry and to increase intra-African trade and trade with the rest of the world. It drives and promotes good governance culture among African SMEs and creates visibility for their businesses while also supporting African entities to expand, diversify and add value to their export products at both the local and international levels. Entities onboarded unto MANSA are allotted an Africa Entity Identifier (AEI) code which enables them to leverage other Afreximbank products and initiatives.
MANSA is also a key digital solution at the Africa Trade Gateway (ATG) marketplace which houses a suite of digital platforms designed as a single window to enable Afreximbank better deliver on its mandate, providing critical services to support and promote intra-African trade and the implementation of the AfCFTA. The platform enables African entities to accelerate their business activities at the ATG marketplace by working with verified information on trusted counterparties.
The new collaboration is, therefore, enabling Ecobank and Afreximbank to provide a central solution to the key challenge of KYC compliance and access to business across 35 countries in Africa. The improved interoperability is expected to further streamline cross-border trade and compliance in Africa, fostering greater financial and economic integration on the continent.
Afreximbank is a pan-African multilateral financial institution established to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade.
Ecobank Group is a leading private pan-African banking group with unrivalled African expertise.
Discover the Ecobank Single Market Trade Hub at www.TradeHub.Ecobank.com and MANSA at www.MANSAAfrica.com
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