France has decided to increase its presence in Africa, among the English speaking countries, and has decided to use South Africa as a gateway to other countries.

Yves de Ricaud, economic and commercial counsellor for the trade and economic mission for the Embassy of France in South Africa, said currently France was mainly exporting to French-speaking countries in Southern Africa.

"One way to increase France’s market share in other regions besides South Africa is to use the country as a platform," said de Ricaud, adding that France already employs some 30,000 people in South Africa, in 170 subsidiaries.