Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) market in France

France's digital sector is one of the most competitive in the world. It is a dynamic ecosystem made up of major companies, startups, investors, and highly skilled professionals. The turnover of France's digital sector has been growing steadily for over 15 years.

According to the leading trade association Numeum, which brings together 2,300 companies, the size of the digital market in France reached an estimated €66.2 billion in 2023.

Key opportunities for Canadian ICT companies in France

Some key subsectors and areas of opportunity for Canadian ICT companies in France include:

• Software as a Service (SaaS) for industry, commerce, finance, and administration
• Cybersecurity Solutions
• AI Solutions
• World-class industry clusters in Fintech, Industry 4.0, IoT and Next Generation Networks
• Innovation trends such as Responsible Tech, Greentech, and Transport Tech

Notable challenges for Canadian ICT companies in France

• Innovative national competition that benefits from strong government support
• Long sales cycle
• Government-led objective to develop "digital sovereignty"

France's business landscape

A member of the G7, France is the 7th largest economy in the world and the second largest in the European Union. It sits at the centre of a market of 500 million consumers, as the EU is the largest importer of services in the world.

Although digital technology usage is progressing at all levels of society and business, many French small- and medium-sized enterprises are still using rudimentary management tools. However, large companies are working hard to constantly adapt functions and operations. This includes areas such as customer experience, e-commerce, document dematerialization, and remote working.

With the digitalization of processes and operations comes the need for adapted, high-performance, and secure cloud infrastructures. Growth in the sector is set to continue in the wake of the post-COVID economic downturn, which has prompted organizations to rapidly migrate many activities to the cloud.

Summary

Canada and France share numerous cultural and economic ties which make the French ICT sector attractive to Canadian vendors. A high number of French companies are present and investing in Canada, who can function as potential partners for business development in France.

Canadian tech companies can take advantage of world class ICT events such as VivaTech, InCyber, Hello Tomorrow Global Summit, as well as sector-focused events such as SIAL Paris (agriculture and processed foods), Paris Air Show (aerospace), and many others, in order to learn, network, and develop their audience of partners or clients in France.

For more information on ICT in the French market please contact paristd-infocentre@international.gc.ca.