Norwegian investments in France in 2024: stronger ties & greener ambitions 

Norwegian investments reflect stronger French Norwegian Ties  

With 14 investment projects announced in 2024, Norway remains a key European investor in France. This makes 2024 the second-best year ever, just behind the record year of 2023 (16 projects). These projects led to the creation of 298 jobs, a 29% increase over the previous year.  64% of these investments were extensions projects, a clear sign of investor satisfaction and long-term commitment. 

The results also reflect the positive dynamic of bilateral relations between France and Norway. In January 2024, France and Norway signed a strategic partnership to strengthen cooperation on energy transition, digitalization, and European value chains. This agreement underscores the shared ambitions of the two countries, particularly in building a green and sovereign European industry. 

France, a trusted base for industrial investment  

In 2024, 8 of the 14 Norwegian projects in France focused on production or manufacturing, reinforcing France’s position as an attractive country for industrial operations. 

Several factors explain this industrial appeal. First, France offers a highly skilled workforce, particularly in engineering and manufacturing. The country also benefits from a competitive and low-carbon energy mix, which is increasingly important for companies looking to decarbonize their operations. France’s strategic location at the heart of the European Union, combined with world-class transport and logistics infrastructure, makes it an ideal base for efficiently serving the European market.  

One notable example is Mowi, the global leader in farmed salmon. The group invested €32 million in a new high-tech plant in Landivisiau (Brittany). With a projected capacity of 4,500 to 6,000 tons/year, the site will create 60 jobs in 2025–2026, showing Mowi’s confidence in the French market.  

This long-term approach shows that France is not only a destination for new investors, but also a reliable base for developing and anchoring industrial value chains in Europe. 

A strong orientation toward green transition and strategic cooperation 

France and Norway are natural partners in the energy transition. France brings industrial strength and a vibrant innovation ecosystem, while Norway contributes world-class expertise in low-carbon energy and maritime technologies. 

A prime example is the collaboration between Yara International, a global leader in fertilizers, and Lhyfe, a French green hydrogen pioneer. Together, they are working to decarbonize Yara’s site in Le Havre, with the goal of producing up to 60,000 metric tons of low-carbon fertilizer per year and reducing the associated CO₂ emissions by 75%. This project reflects a broader shift towards strategic collaboration to build resilient and clean industrial value chains. 

French industrial policies – from France 2030 to the national hydrogen strategy – provide a stable and supportive framework for sustainable, future-proof manufacturing. For Norwegian investors, this environment aligns closely with their commitment to green industrial growth and innovation. 

Discover all the extent of the France 2030 plan here.

The 2024 Norwegian investments show a move toward higher value-added projects, often involving advanced manufacturing, technological innovation, and sustainable industrial processes. 

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