Choose France 2025: 9 billion euros in national investments to boost competitiveness
The first edition of the Choose France summit, exclusively dedicated to investments by French companies, has seen a record commitment of 9.2 billion euros for new projects across France. In front of nearly 200 economic players, the government is highlighting the modernization of strategic sectors and the rise of industrial innovation. This edition marks a turning point as the climate of political uncertainty remains prevalent.
A groundbreaking commitment by French companies to productive investment
The Choose France 2025 summit has taken a significant step in highlighting domestic investment. With a pledge of €9.2 billion for entirely new projects, announced by the Ministry of Economy, over 150 companies, ranging from small and medium-sized enterprises to large corporations, are solidifying their presence across the country. This represents the most dynamic portion of the €30.4 billion in national investments recorded over twelve months.
The distribution includes 151 projects, with 30 of them being new, according to figures released by Bercy. Among the major contributors is Opcore's project (part of the Iliad group), which alone accounts for nearly €4 billion to transform a former EDF site into one of Europe's largest data centers. This momentum is occurring in a context where, according to Bpifrance, the proportion of SME leaders intending to invest has declined to 39%, reflecting the caution prevailing amid budgetary and political uncertainties.
Strategic Sectors Driven by Targeted Investments
The 2025 edition stood out due to the concentration of funds in sectors deemed strategic. The pharmaceutical industry, represented by Sanofi, has committed 700 million euros for the fiscal year 2025-2026, with a stronger focus on artificial intelligence and the modernization of its tools. HoloSolis's solar panel factory project, which aims to become the largest site in Europe, has already received 220 million euros in public and private funding out of a target of 850 million. Other noteworthy industries, such as industrial construction with Urgo (65 million invested in the Loire) or aerospace production with Safran (a carbon brake site for 430 million in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), illustrate the intention to relocate and accelerate the energy transition, thus validating government priorities on efficiency, digitization, and sovereignty.
Investing Amid Uncertainties: Caution and Sector Strategies
Despite the strong announcements, caution remains palpable among economic decision-makers. Discussions at the summit highlighted the need to balance investment ambition with budgetary stability, especially with the 2026 budget still up in the air. While public officials commend the significant commitment effort, the banking federation and several business organizations point to a slowdown in momentum compared to previous years. Sectoral strategies, supported by insights gathered during roundtable discussions, emphasize the importance of securing supply chains, continuing investment in R&D, and accelerating the green transition, a requirement that has become central in the management of industrial portfolios.
This content has been automatically translated using artificial intelligence. While we strive for accuracy, some nuances may differ from the original French version.
