“Expertise France is now a benchmark in international technical assistance”

Ten years on, the consolidation of ministerial technical cooperation operators within Expertise France has proven to be a success: Expertise France is now a benchmark in the field of international technical assistance. Since its integration to AFD Group in 2022, the technical cooperation it provides has become one of the Group’s core pillars.

Pursuing an ambitious agenda of international partnerships and sustainable, solidarity-based investments does not only mean financing major infrastructure projects. It also involves supporting our partners in implementing transformative public policies and modernizing their institutions—essential conditions to ensure the lasting impact of our partnerships.

In 2024, Expertise France signed 162 projects worth a total of 800 million euros, each one an opportunity to promote French expertise and know-how. This commitment to showcasing our strengths on the global stage, through alliances that combine diplomatic and economic interests, is at the heart of the new performance and objectives contract signed between the State and Expertise France. It is also one of the key goals of the Presidential Council for International Partnerships held on April 4.

The work of Expertise France is fully aligned with the ten presidential priority objectives set in 2023 and reaffirmed in 2025. These reflect the core values and priorities of our international action, particularly in relation to women’s rights and climate issues. I am especially attentive to support for economic and financial governance. Sound public governance—built on healthy public finances and a favorable business environment—is a prerequisite for strong, sustainable, and inclusive growth.

Lastly, in the broader context of restoring public finances—and although the creation of Expertise France has already streamlined the activities of several agencies—it remains essential to continue innovating in order to strengthen the agency’s economic model. Many challenges lie ahead: deploying our international technical experts, designing integrated offerings within AFD Group, seeking synergies and efficiency gains, and mobilizing European and multilateral funding. I am confident that Expertise France will meet these challenges, and I will follow its progress with close attention.

Remarks collected in May 2025.