Sub‑Saharan African Investment in France Accelerates in 2025

In 2025, investment flows from Sub‑Saharan Africa to France reached a new milestone, reflecting the growing dynamism of African companies seeking to expand into Europe. According to the Sub‑Saharan Africa Annual Report 2025, ten new investment projects were recorded in France over the year, generating 170 jobs nationwide. These investments originated from six African countries, highlighting an increasingly diversified investor base.

Ivory Coast emerged as the leading contributor, accounting for 40% of all projects and 33% of the jobs created. Nigeria, Kenya, Cameroon, Angola, and Senegal also featured prominently, collectively shaping a more robust African economic footprint in France. INSEE data referenced in the report notes the presence of 65 Sub‑Saharan African businesses already operating in France, employing over 2,267 full‑time equivalents.

A defining characteristic of 2025 investments was their strategic nature. A remarkable 80% of the projects involved decision‑making centers, and 90% of these were first‑time investments in Europe, positioning France as a gateway market for African companies intending to scale globally. The transport and storage sector generated the highest number of forecast jobs (32%), followed by IT services (24%), agri‑food (17%), and financial services (15%).

One standout project came from Veone Group, an Ivorian digital solutions provider with 16 years of experience in cloud computing, open-source technologies, and digital transformation. Veone established its European subsidiary—Veone SAS—in the prestigious Sophia Antipolis technology cluster. The new site is set to function as a strategic R&D hub focused on cloud technologies, e‑commerce, and artificial intelligence, with plans to create 27 jobs, including nine dedicated to R&D. The company aims to accelerate technological synergies between Europe and Africa while contributing to engineer upskilling across the group.

Geographically, Île‑de‑France attracted 60% of all projects, followed by Provence‑Alpes‑Côte d’Azur (20%), Mayotte (10%), and Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes (10%). All 10 projects were new creations, demonstrating expanding African confidence in the French business landscape. Overall, the 2025 results illustrate a deepening economic partnership between France and Sub‑Saharan Africa. With high‑value projects, an expanding presence in strategic sectors, and a growing emphasis on innovation, African companies are becoming increasingly influential contributors to France’s investment ecosystem