They Chose France in 2024

Sub-Saharan African investments
in France

The FDI stock2 of businesses from Sub-Saharan Africa in France is
around €3.1 billion.

Thirteen new investment decisions were recorded in France from
this area in 2024, creating 217 jobs nationwide. South Africa was the
Sub-Saharan African country that invested the most in France, with
31% of projects, followed by Cameroon (15%) and Ivory Coast (15%).
The majority of projects from Sub-Saharan Africa (69%) were
decision-making centers. The majority of these were first-time
investments in Europe, highlighting France’s potential as a gateway
for African businesses wishing to set up in Europe. The only production/
manufacturing project decided by a Sub-Saharan business in 2024 was
responsible for the majority of jobs created in France in 2024 (55%).

Sub-Saharan African investments served various sectors, from
industry to services. The Guinean project United Mining Supply, in the
metalworking sector, accounted for more than one in two jobs (55%).

Nearly one in three projects was located in Ile de France (Paris region)
(31%), followed by the Occitanie, Normandie and Provence-Alpes-Côte
d’Azur regions, with 15% each.

Source: Banque de France, 2024; FDI stock in France (ultimate investor) as of December 31, 2023,
excluding confidential data

Invest success stories: KIM Entreprises & Simera Sense

KIM Entreprises: This Ivorian business specializes in stock fumigation
services, disinfestation and pest control for processing facilities and
storage warehouses through plant protection products in the agri-food
industry. During a targeted mission of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
region in the Ivory Coast in 2023, the business manager discovered the
strengths of this region in the natural products and biocontrol sector.
With solid local experience and having already developed partnerships
with French businesses, Kim Entreprises has therefore chosen to set
up Biokim Control in Avignon. It plans to offer its services there, and
to identify natural products and biocides to promote them in the Ivory
Coast and in the wider region. The subsidiary will create eight jobs over
the next three years.

Simera Sense: This South African business develops Earth observation
technology, needed by the NewSpace industry, by supplying optical
payloads for numerous global NewSpace missions. Following several
visits to Toulouse, they have chosen to set up their subsidiary in the
Occitanie region. This presence in France will enable them to become
the leading global provider for NewSpace Earth observation payloads.
Simera Sense France will continue to sell existing products through its
French entity to the rapidly growing French ecosystem. In addition,
they plan for their new factory to produce the first commercial standalone VHR optical payloads, as well as a range of satellite situational
awareness solutions. The office, factory and cleanroom will create 20
jobs over a three-year period.