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France

France is a Western European country with its capital in Paris. It has a population of about 67-million and is the seventh-largest economy in the world by nominal GDP. The country is a founding member of the European Union and uses the euro as its currency. France operates as a unitary semi-presidential republic with a strong tradition of centralised governance. Its economy is highly diversified, with key sectors including aerospace, automotive manufacturing, luxury goods, agriculture, tourism and nuclear energy. France is the world's leading nuclear power producer by share of electricity generation, with nuclear plants providing about 70% of its domestic power. The country is also a significant player in the global energy transition, promoting renewable energy development and electric vehicle adoption as part of its climate commitments. France is a member of the G7, the United Nations Security Council, NATO and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The nation has extensive historical ties across Africa, particularly in West and Central Africa, where French remains an official language in many countries. France's industrial base includes major multinational corporations in energy, automotive and technology sectors that are active in critical minerals sourcing and battery supply chains for electric vehicles.

Latest Articles in 60 Seconds

EU's Russian LNG imports hit record as ban looms

France was among the top destinations, alongside Belgium and Spain, as the European Union imported record volumes of liquefied natural gas from Russia's Yamal plant, part-owned by France's TotalEnergies, in the first half of the year, ahead of a full ban on Russian LNG taking effect from January 1, 2027.

Orange leads new Europe-Africa subsea cable plan

Orange Group and partners including Sonatel have signed a memorandum of understanding for the Via Africa submarine cable system, which will link European landing points in the UK, France and Portugal to West African countries and South Africa, with a route study now under way.

France's air passenger market keeps growing

France recorded 152.6-million air passengers last year, up 2.2% year-on-year, ranking ninth globally, according to the International Air Transport Association's 'World Air Transport Statistics 2025' report, which also noted France's uranium exports help supply US reactors amid Washington's efforts to reduce reliance on Russian enriched uranium.

France Updates


Image of high-speed cable
Via Africa submarine cable system, Europe to Africa
17th July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

The project aims to develop a new high-capacity submarine cable system to strengthen connectivity between Europe and Africa. 


Cape Town International Airport
Cape Town-Johannesburg is Africa’s busiest air passenger route
16th July 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

The route between Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) and Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) was the busiest airport pair connection in Africa last year. This is one of the... 


Uranium oxide in hand
US company seeks to produce uranium for nuclear energy from seawater
15th July 2026 By: Reuters

Texas-based SuperCritical Materials Corp said on Tuesday it has won an exclusive license from the US Department of Energy (DoE) to extract uranium from seawater, a process that was developed by US... 


Precious metals prices drop amid resurfacing Middle East tensions
Precious metals prices drop amid resurfacing Middle East tensions
13th July 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Following the latest hostilities in the US war with Iran, precious metals prices dropped across the board, with the gold price falling back below $4 100/oz and silver below $60/oz. In its latest... 


Russian LNG seaport
EU imports record LNG volumes from Russia's biggest plant ahead of ban
13th July 2026 By: Reuters

European Union countries imported record-high volumes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia's Yamal facility in the first half of this year, EU data showed on Monday, ahead of a ban on Russian... 


Image of rare earths
Zandkopsdrift magnet rare earths and manganese project, South Africa – update
10th July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

The definitive feasibility study is under way and scheduled for completion in the first half of 2027. 


President Cyril Ramaphosa and French President Emmanuel Macron
Ramaphosa heads to France for high-level engagements
9th July 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

President Cyril Ramaphosa is embarking on a three-day official working visit to France to advance global education reform, strengthen bilateral ties, and honour fallen South African soldiers. The... 


Lhyfe green hydrogen delivery truck
Green hydrogen producer Lhyfe expands container fleet dedicated to hydrogen transport
7th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Euronext-listed green hydrogen producer Lhyfe has taken delivery of 10 new Hexagon Purus containers, with the company now operating 84 Type IV tube trailers dedicated to hydrogen transport. Lhyfe... 


Tungsten ore
Australia's Apollo Minerals garners approval to list on Euronext
26th June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Apollo Minerals has announced the Euronext Growth Paris Exchange has formally approved the company's listing of its ordinary shares. The company's flagship asset, the Couflens high... 


Nyrstar smelter in Australia
Nyrstar shareholders file petition for interim measures while Antwerp investigates forgery claims
26th June 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Euronext Brussels-listed base metals miner Nyrstar has advised that certain shareholders filed a petition for interim measures with the Antwerp Enterprise Court on June 26. The claimant... 


LOcation map of the Lionheart project in Germany
Lionheart lithium project, Germany
26th June 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Vulcan Energy Resources is developing the Lionheart project – an integrated lithium and renewable-energy project that combines upstream geothermal brine production and lithium extraction with... 


Frontier Rare Earths CEO James Kenny.
South Africa’s Zandkopsdrift rare earths project highlighted at Junior Indaba
26th June 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The Zandkopsdrift rare earths project in South Africa’s endowed Northern Cape was highlighted on day two of the Junior Indaba, which also learnt of the rapid forward momentum of West Wits Mining’s... 


An image of gold
Gold central bank demand to persist – Heraeus
22nd June 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Gold’s characterises and the demand for this precious metal make it an excellent reserve asset; therefore, central bank demand is likely to continue to persist into the future, Heraeus Precious... 


R12m grant supports RTE international-NTCSA grid-resilience cooperation
R12m grant supports RTE international-NTCSA grid-resilience cooperation
18th June 2026

Agence française de développement (AFD) has approved a €650 000 (about R12-million) grant to facilitate a two-year technical cooperation programme between RTE international and the National... 


Aclara Resources rare earths
G7 leaders tackle reliance on China for critical minerals
17th June 2026 By: Reuters

G7 host France is pushing partners to agree a statement on critical minerals on Wednesday that could include measures to help the West reduce its reliance on China and shield investors from... 


Crude oil
Oil hits 3-month low as US, Iran reach peace deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz
15th June 2026 By: Reuters

Oil prices slipped to a three-month low on Monday after US President Donald Trump and Iran's deputy foreign minister said they had reached an initial deal to end the war and to resume traffic... 


Oil rig
Shares and bonds surge, oil slides on Iran deal
15th June 2026 By: Reuters

Share markets and bonds rallied hard on Monday and oil prices tumbled 5% as a framework peace deal between the US and Iran promised to ease inflationary pressures globally and lessen the need for... 


An image of exterior insulation being fitted to a building
Global EIFS market set to grow as green building demand accelerates
12th June 2026

The global exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS) market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate  of 10.30% from 2025 to 2032, reaching a valuation of about $240.3-billion by... 


SKA-mid dish
Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, South Africa/Australia
12th June 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

France has established the Extreme Computing Lab for Astronomical Telescopes to handle the significant computing challenges that will encountered by the huge data streams the SKA Observatory will... 


Shin-Etsu rare earth oxides
Japan gov backs new Shin-Etsu rare earth refinery build amid China's export control
11th June 2026 By: Reuters

Japanese rare earth magnet manufacturer Shin-Etsu Chemical plans to build a new rare earth refining facility in Fukui prefecture in western Japan to strengthen its supply chain, a spokesperson... 


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