SoftBank to Invest Up to €75 Billion in French AI Data Centers

SoftBank Group announced it would invest from €45 billion up to €75 billion to bolster AI data center infrastructure in France. The first phase of the project is set to deliver 3.1GW of capacity.

SoftBank announced the investment at the 2026 Choose France summit, hosted by President Emmanuel Macron, marking the Japanese company’s largest AI infrastructure investments in Europe. It has committed an initial €45 billion investment in the Hauts-de-France region, providing 3.1GW of capacity to data centers in Dunkirk, Bosquel, and Bouchain. SoftBank will also develop additional sites.

For the Dunkirk deployment, SoftBank partnered with Schneider Electric to accelerate its buildout, while developing a large-scale industrial production cluster. The cluster at the Port of Dunkirk will be a key industrial pillar for the company’s AI infrastructure program in France, including the buildout of two facilities. One will be operated by SoftBank to manufacture enclosures, while the other will be operated by Schneider Electric to integrate data centre power modules.

The duo explained the partnership will combine SoftBank’s robotics and automation capabilities with Schneider’s industrial expertise and local supply chain network to support the deployment of next-generation AI data centres at scale. The industrial cluster is also designed to support Dunkirk’s ambition to become a leading hub for robotics, advanced manufacturing and industrial innovation.

Masayoshi Son, chairman and CEO of SoftBank, said AI is entering a new era and countries that build infrastructure for this transformation will shape the future of technology, industry and society. “SoftBank is proud to make this major commitment to France. With its industrial capabilities, talent base and national ambition, France is uniquely positioned to become a leading AI infrastructure hub in Europe.”

This year, France has attracted €93 billion in investments, with SoftBank pledging to invest almost half of that amount. French President Emmanuel Macron said that the 71 projects unveiled at this year's Choose France summit mark a record year for foreign investment. Macron added that these investments would create more than 15,600 jobs at a time when ​the unemployment level has gone above 8%.