The Maghreb Fund promised by Emmanuel Macron, endowed with 100 million euros, will be able to support French companies wanting to internationalize in Morocco, Algeria or Tunisia by 2027 in sectors such as industry and energy. , agriculture and pharmaceuticals
The French public investment bank Bpifrance will help finance the internationalization of French companies towards the Maghreb through a fund, in the wake of a promise from Emmanuel Macron, she announced.
The Maghreb Fund, endowed with 100 million euros, will be able to support “between 2024 and 2027” companies in sectors such as industry, energy, agriculture and pharmaceuticals, Bpifrance said.
Promised by Emmanuel Macron in 2023, the support of French companies towards the Maghreb by the public bank will make it possible to support the necessary investment, financing or guarantees, as part of development projects for French companies in Morocco, Tunisia and in Algeria through subsidiaries or joint ventures.
The Maghreb Fund will offer a complete range of investment, financing, guarantee and support tools to meet the specific needs of French companies at all stages of their development in the Maghreb.
This system offers startups, SMEs or ETIs with an investment or commercial development project in Morocco, Algeria or Tunisia a 360° course to accelerate, structure and best secure their growth and their partnerships in the region.
Equity, loans and guarantees
Bpifrance may take direct or indirect stakes in the capital of French companies that establish or develop in the Maghreb. Loans, repayable advances and lines of credit will be offered to finance investments by French companies in the Maghreb.
The parapublic bank headed by Nicolas Dufourcq will offer French companies tailor-made support to help them identify business opportunities in the Maghreb, establish themselves and develop in the region. This dedicated support will ensure prospecting and market understanding, in conjunction with Bpifrance partners from Team France Export
Bpifrance will be able to guarantee bank loans granted to French companies by local banks in the Maghreb. Various financing and guarantee solutions are provided to validate their projects and their contracts with their local partners.
The system also provides investment support to strengthen their partnership and external growth strategies. A section dedicated to the animation of business ecosystems is planned to save companies time by identifying the best partners and concrete opportunities
Local banks involved
The Maghreb Fund will be deployed in collaboration with local partners in the Maghreb, including banks, investment funds and business support organizations. This partnership will make it possible to identify the most promising French companies and offer them support adapted to their needs.
It should contribute to the growth of French businesses and the creation of jobs in the Maghreb. It will also strengthen economic ties between France and the Maghreb countries.
French investments in the Maghreb are nothing new. For several decades, France has always been a leading economic partner for the Maghreb countries. From the 1990s, French companies began to establish themselves significantly in the region, particularly in the energy, infrastructure and services sectors.
French companies are particularly present in Morocco, where more than 1,000 SMEs and almost all CAC 40 companies operate there, particularly in the telecommunications, energy, and automobile sectors, with infrastructure such as Renault factory in Tangier.
In Algeria, they are mainly active in energy and infrastructure. Concerning Tunisia, France remains the main trading partner, with a strong presence in the manufacturing and services sectors, supported by bilateral agreements and geographical proximity.
In 2013, Bpifrance launched initiatives such as the Support Fund for French Businesses in North Africa, with a particular focus on SMEs and ETIs. This fund already aimed to promote trade and facilitate the establishment of French companies in this strategic area.
Today, the Bpifrance Maghreb Fund is part of this continuity, by strengthening efforts to support the internationalization of French companies. By providing financial resources and support services, this fund is designed to maximize growth opportunities for French companies while contributing to the economic development of Maghreb countries.
Read also : The Quai d’Orsay gives the green light for French financing for the Sahara
