Present on five continents
Africa | Addressing the priorities of our partners
In 2021, over two-thirds of the total amount of contracts signed by Expertise France was allocated to African countries. This commitment is consistent with the development assistance policy orientations of both France and the EU that make Africa the priority area for our operations.
Facilitating the stabilization of fragile areas
Expertise France particularly focuses on fragile areas. In the Sahel for instance, our various operational departments have launched complementary projects aimed at responding to a crisis at once political, economic, and social. The objectives of this approach are multidimensional: to help restructure public authorities, restore trust between States and populations, strengthen local NGO capacities, support economic recovery, and improve access to essential services. In a complex security and diplomatic context, our operations are managed as closest to the ground as possible by a special regional coordinator based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Boosting the economy in North Africa
As North Africa represents another key area, a regional coordinator was also assigned to Tunis. Over 30 projects are currently being implemented in the region, especially on the issues of employment and professional training, as a support to national economies. In Tunisia, Expertise France is assisting the government in fighting youth unemployment through entrepreneurship: that is the purpose of the Innov’i – EU4Innovation project, but also that of the Patrimoine 2030 project, dedicated to boosting the tourism sector. Innovation and entrepreneurship are also at the heart of our operations in Libya. In Algeria, operations target the blue economy. We also provide technical assistance to the Kingdom of Morocco in its efforts to promote employment. Finally, diaspora entrepreneurship is encouraged in North and Sub-Saharan Africa, through the MEET Africa Program.
Asia and the Americas | For sustainable and inclusive policies
In Latin America and Asia, Expertise France supports the design and implementation of public policies. Sustainability and social inclusion remain a key aspect of our assistance.
Promoting sustainable development…
In Southeast Asia, a region particularly impacted by marine pollution, Expertise France is helping to implement the European strategy for plastic waste. We help the Singaporean authorities work toward more sustainable public purchases. In Vietnam, we support the Ministry of the Environment in developing its environmental legislation. We are also about to launch an ambitious assistance project for biodiversity in Papua New Guinea with EU funding.
Sustainable development is also a feature of Expertise France’s action in Latin America. From 2019 to 2021, we helped Colombian authorities design their new climate strategy, with financing from AFD. Presented in November 2021, this strategy should allow the country to become carbon-neutral by 2050. Expertise France and AFD now assist in its effective implementation.
…and gender equality
At the same time, Expertise France coordinates and manages the “Gender” component of EUROsociAL+, an EU coordination program for social cohesion in Latin America. For 15 years, EUROsociAL+ has been providing help to develop and implement public policies aiming to reduce inequalities in the region. Using this framework, we work to enhance public policies furthering gender equality. We also promote a cross-cutting vision of gender to improve women’s rights and promote their physical, socioeconomic, and political empowerment.
Indo-Pacific | The major arena of the 21st century
France is an Indo-Pacific country in its own right, with over 1.6 million French citizens living in its territories located in the region. Three-quarters of the exclusive French economic space — ranked second globally — is also there.
A priority area for cooperation
The Indo-Pacific is a crucial region for the Sustainable Development Goals as well as a priority region for French development assistance and cooperation. France’s strategy for the region rests on four pillars: security and defense, economy, the promotion of efficient multilateralism, and the commitment to common goods. The Indo-Pacific is also one of the priorities of France’s European agenda. A strengthened European presence will allow a better response to the challenges of this vast region, where Europe has already fostered robust partnerships.
Two main themes: security and biodiversity
Within AFD Group and Team Europe, Expertise France is helping to implement the French and European strategy for the region. We operate mostly in the fields of security cooperation and biodiversity protection. Two illustrative projects we have put into motion are the European project CRIMARIO, which seeks to strengthen marine safety and security in the Indian ocean, and the AFD-financed Varuna project, which contributes to preserving the biodiversity of hotspots in the southwest Indian Ocean.
Middle East | Diversified activity
Expertise France is spearheading 27 projects in the Middle East on risk reduction, social protection, support to civil society, and the fight against terrorism. We are particularly active in Lebanon but also operate in Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Yemen, as well as in Palestine, through a historic partnership with the Palestine Public Finance Institute. Since 2013, we are also the only European operator present in Syria, along with GIZ.
MOYEN-ORIENT | Une activité diversifiée
Lutte contre le terrorisme, réduction des risques, protection sociale, soutien à la société civile : Expertise France mène 27 projets au Moyen-Orient. Particulièrement active au Liban, l’agence opère en Jordanie, en Égypte, en Irak, au Yémen et en Palestine, via un partenariat historique avec l’Institut palestinien des finances publiques. Depuis 2013, elle est également le seul opérateur européen présent en Syrie avec la GIZ.