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Our focus areas in development cooperation
As France’s development cooperation agency and a subsidiary of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Group, we support our partner countries and organisations in achieving their development goals across a wide range of focus areas. We do this through an integrated, co-created approach, engaging with stakeholders at a local, national and international level.
This page outlines all our focus areas. It also provides key figures, impact data, operational frameworks, services, and related projects.
The essentials of Expertise France's 2025-2026 annual report
Four cross-cutting focus areas
We integrate four cross-cutting focus areas into everything we do. These are gender equality, digital transformation, strengthening of institutions, and private sector support. These dimensions are partly or wholly embedded across all our core areas of action, whether in governance, sustainable development, or human development.
Our approach always comprises a gender equality dimension to support the emergence of more inclusive societies. It also encourages the use of digital tools and accelerates the digital transformation; fosters capacity building of public institutions in our partner countries; and supports private sector engagement to foster dynamic, job-creating economies.
Our cross-cutting focus areas
Six core areas of action
Alongside our cross-cutting focus areas, our work can be broken down into six major areas of action: governance; sustainable and inclusive economy; peace, stability and security; sustainable development; health; and human development.
“Thanks to the growth in our business and the doubling of our volume of business in the past five years (close to €400 million in 2023), Expertise France has bolstered our position on the international stage in all sectors, from health and biodiversity to economic development, culture, and heritage, as well as in new areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and space. To support and sustainably structure this growth, we are strengthening our network on the ground.”
- CEO of Expertise France
Governance
Our governance initiatives span a broad range of strategic areas, including public finance management, justice, state reform and modernisation, migration and human trafficking, and human rights. These actions lead to meaningful, long-term improvements in the running of institutions and well-being of citizens.
Sustainable and inclusive economy
We support the development of sustainable and inclusive economies, combat poverty, and promote prosperity for the most vulnerable populations in partner countries. Key focus areas include trade and market access, economic financing, entrepreneurship, innovation, culture and heritage, and sports.
Peace, stability and security
In response to protracted crises driven by conflict, climate change, natural disasters and organised crime, we promote human security and sustainable peace. Our work focuses on addressing global threats; promoting stability and resilience; strengthening defence and security forces; as well as preventing, mitigating and adapting to risk.
Sustainable development
Given the urgency of climate change, sustainable development has become a central area of our work. Our efforts in this area centre on seven main topics: climate, agriculture, energy, biodiversity, circular economy, sustainable cities, and water.
Health
Health plays a key role in social stability, global security and peacebuilding. Our agency helps our partner countries and organisations to identify the best responses to public health risks and challenges through three strategic priorities: equitable and resilient health systems, public health and wellbeing, and public health emergencies.
Human development
As international development aid is rooted in human cooperation, we actively promote solutions for successful social integration and employment. Our three main focus areas include education, higher education and research; vocational training and employment; and social protection and decent work.
Our projects
FIMUS – Promoting sustainable urban mobility in the Dominican Republic
2025 - 2029
Funders : Agence Française de Développement
L'Initiative – AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria
Ongoing
2011 - 2028
Funders : Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France
SOCIEUX+ - EU expertise on social protection, labour and employment
Ongoing
2024 - 2027
Funders : European Union, Government of France, Belgian State, Spanish State
Our latest news
"In both the Global North and South, we are all developing countries"
Published on June 30, 2026
Ukraine: Expertise France reaffirms its commitment to reconstruction and European integration
Published on June 26, 2026
Key figures in 2025
- +500K people received training and targeted information about reducing gender inequalities
- 4M students received support in accessing basic education
- 1,4M people accessed people benefiting from strengthened health systemsservices through our initiatives
- 4,127 businesses or business projects received support