France Launches New Sovereign Fund and Boosts Strategic Investments to Strengthen Economy

France is taking decisive steps to reinforce its economic sovereignty and support strategic industries. On February 11, Amir Reza-Tofighi, president of the CPME, announced the imminent launch of a small sovereign fund aimed at financing the French economy. This initiative seeks to channel the vast €6,500 billion in French savings into local investments, particularly benefiting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and intermediate-sized enterprises (ETIs).

Reza-Tofighi emphasized the importance of encouraging French companies to open their capital to domestic investment funds, warning that the absence of such mechanisms has led foreign sovereign funds to acquire French companies, posing risks to national economic sovereignty. He highlighted that this challenge should not fall solely on banks but requires broader awareness and engagement among French companies and investors.

In parallel, the French government is focusing on strengthening strategic industrial sectors, notably nuclear energy. Ministers Roland Lescure (Economy) and Sébastien Martin (Industry) are scheduled to visit Arabelle Solutions in Belfort on February 13. EDF’s CEO, Bernard Fontana, has announced a significant €350 million investment to support the company, a key player in the nuclear sector.

Looking ahead, France will host the World Nuclear Summit in Paris on March 10, chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron as vice-president of the organizing International Atomic Energy Agency. This summit is expected to bring forward new strategic announcements on nuclear energy, including the development of small modular reactors (SMRs). On the same day as the Belfort visit, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu plans to present France’s broader energy strategy in the Jura region.

These combined measures—enhancing domestic investment through a sovereign fund and bolstering nuclear industry investments—signal France’s commitment to economic sovereignty and sustainable growth in vital sectors.