Athlone's Ericsson one of 179 FDI investments in first half of 2025

Athlone's Ericsson is one of 179 Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) made in the first half of 2025.

Investments have increased 37% on same period for 2024, and are expected to deliver cutting edge R&D, strengthen our talent proposition, drive sustainable change, and lead to the creation of over 10,000 jobs.

The investment has seen Ericsson announce a significant €200 million investment over the next three years in a pioneering research, development, and innovation (RD&I) project at its Athlone facility.

This project aims to accelerate the development of open network management and automation capabilities used in 5G networks globally. This investment further reinforces Ireland's position as a strategic hub for technological innovation.

In its Annual Report for 2024, published today (July 2), IDA Ireland recognises the current uncertain global economic context and notes that the coming years will be marked by change and turbulence.

The agency also highlights the main challenges in executing Ireland’s infrastructure plans over the next five years, and the need to ensure continued competitiveness across capacity, cost, and regulation.

The priority areas for IDA Ireland are housing, energy, water, grid, transport infrastructure, and the planning and regulatory system. While there has been progress made, continued focus on delivery will be crucial if Ireland is to make substantial improvements.

With its strong foundation of global companies, world-class talent base and exceptional reputation for research, development and innovation, Ireland is well positioned to secure future emerging opportunities.

This goes to the heart of IDA Ireland’s new five-year strategy Adapt Intelligently: A Strategy for Sustainable Growth and Innovation 2025-2029 which identifies four growth drivers - AI and Digitalisation, Semiconductors, Sustainability, and Health - that will enable opportunities across the agency’s key sectors of Life Sciences, Financial Services, Technology, Engineering and High Value Manufacturing.

Speaking of the results Minister for Enterprise, Tourism & Employment Peter Burke said: “I am pleased to see the positive trends in the volume of Foreign Direct Investment so far this year. They show Ireland retains its attractiveness as a competitive location for companies seeking a stable and cutting-edge environment from which to grow their business.

"There is a continued momentum within the sector, as described in the IDA annual report for 2024, and I commend the agency for its work. Irish competitiveness will be key to sustaining this FDI momentum.”

IDA Ireland CEO, Michael Lohan said: “Today’s figures demonstrate Ireland’s continued attractiveness as a trusted partner and a proven investment location, speaking to our many strengths in areas such as innovation and talent as well as our stable, pro-enterprise business landscape. It also points to our resilience in the face of continuing global economic uncertainty.

“In February of this year, we launched IDA Ireland’s five-year strategy to 2029, Adapt Intelligently, outlining four key goals - to strengthen long term investment, drive sustainable change, scale cutting edge innovation and maximise regional opportunity. I am very pleased to see significant investment levels reflective of our commitment to these goals which also reflect the strategic growth drivers we have identified in our strategy, namely Digitalisation & AI, Semiconductors, Sustainability and Health.

“IDA Ireland continues to partner with new and existing clients to support them in their investment endeavours here, to help their global competitiveness, and to deliver economic impact across all regions of the country. None of this can happen without the support of the Irish Government through the Department of Enterprise, Tourism & Employment, the contribution and commitment of our many stakeholders and partners, and our team in Ireland and overseas, all working to position Ireland as the premier location for FDI.”