A fragile position vis-à-vis China and the United States: the Court of Auditors calls on France to accelerate in quantum computing

The French National Audit Office has warned that France's position in the global race for quantum technology remains precarious amid growing investments by China and the United States. In a detailed report released on Monday, the body urged the government to accelerate its efforts in the field, emphasizing the need for increased private capital mobilization and stronger European partnerships to maintain competitiveness. The audit office, typically cautious about advocating for additional spending, stressed that maintaining leadership in quantum computing is a “major sovereignty issue.” The report highlights that while France has made progress through its national strategy launched in 2021—backed by €1.8 billion, including €1.5 billion in public funding, the current approach is insufficient to keep pace with international rivals. The report was published ahead of a broader assessment of France’s quantum initiatives, which will be finalized later this week. France’s national quantum strategy, initiated in 2021, aimed to bolster scientific capabilities and foster an industrial ecosystem. According to the audit office, the initiative has helped solidify France’s scientific strengths and enabled the emergence of a promising industry. However, the report argues that the existing financial framework is outdated given the rapid acceleration of competition globally. The audit office noted that even the recent announcement of an additional €1 billion in investment by President Emmanuel Macron by early May still falls short of matching the scale of investment by other major powers. The report pointed out that among the 11 publicly traded companies in the quantum computing sector, none are based in Europe. This reflects a broader weakness in European capital markets compared to their counterparts in the U.S. and China, where substantial venture capital and institutional backing have fueled innovation. With the global quantum computing market estimated at €1.1 billion at the start of 2025, projections suggest it could reach between €8.7 billion and €13 billion by 2035. To remain competitive, the audit office called for more coordinated European collaboration, particularly through targeted partnerships, to enable France to become a key player in the field. French officials have acknowledged the challenges facing the country’s quantum ambitions. While the government has committed to increasing investment, the specifics of how these funds will be allocated remain under discussion. The audit office recommended that the government support the industry in a sustainable manner, leveraging both private financing and public procurement to drive growth. It emphasized the importance of creating an environment conducive to scaling up research and commercial applications. The report also highlighted the strategic significance of quantum computing, noting that it promises unprecedented computational power capable of solving problems currently beyond the reach of traditional supercomputers. As nations vie for dominance in this emerging field, France faces mounting pressure to ensure it does not fall behind. The audit office’s findings underscore the urgency of action, especially as the technological landscape continues to evolve rapidly.