Global Gateway Forum: EU and Finnfund launch the Africa Connected Programme to mobilise more than €1 billion of sustainable investments in digital infrastructure
At the Global Gateway Forum, European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, and Finnfund CEO, Jaakko Kangasniemi, have officially signed the Africa Connected Programme, a landmark guarantee agreement aimed at mobilising more than €1 billion in sustainable investments for digital infrastructure and digital service platforms in Sub-Saharan Africa. Finnfund becomes a first-time implementing partner of European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus, the Global Gateway’s financial arm.
RDC : l’Union européenne déploie une mission d’observation électorale
En réponse à une invitation du ministère des Affaires étrangères de la République démocratique du Congo (RDC), l'Union européenne a décidé de déployer une mission d'observation électorale (MOE) de l'UE pour les élections générales prévues le 20 décembre 2023.
Global Gateway: EU signs strategic partnerships on critical raw materials value chains with DRC and Zambia and advances cooperation with US and other key partners to develop the ‘Lobito Corridor'
On October 26, 2023, at the Global Gateway Forum taking place in Brussels, the EU signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with partners to develop critical raw materials value chains and boost transport connectivity.
Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a partnership on critical and strategic raw materials value chains with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Minister of Mines, Antoinette N'samba Kalambayi*, and a strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials value chains with Zambian Minister of Finance, Situmbeko Musokotwane.
New from the European Parliament
Development Committee
Members of the Committee on Development met on 24 October to exchange views, among other things, on:
- on the Priorities of the Spanish Presidency with Ms Pilar Cancela, State Secretary for International Cooperation
- Hearing : Team Europe initiative: saving the Congo Basin and providing development opportunities for Congo Basin countries (documents and recording)
- Role of EU development policy in transforming the extractive industries for sustainable development in developing countries (documents)
- EU development cooperation to enhance access to education and training in developing countries (documents)
- EU development cooperation in support of access to energy in developing countries (documents)
You can find the draft agenda with all the discussed topics here. Next meeting of the DEVE Committee will be held on 16 November.
EU-Botswana Business Forum (EBBF)
On the 11th and 12th of October, 2023, the EU-Botswana Business Forum (EBBF) was held in Gaborone, Botswana.
Botswana and the European Union offered a space to explore new investment and trade opportunities for captains of industries, investors, private sector organisations, chambers of commerce, public institutions, policymakers, and financial institutions.
The delegates shared experience, explored ways to strengthen cooperation, network and exchange ideas on trade and investment topics such as business development strategies, industry trends, market opportunities and special economic development. The EBBF was a unique opportunity for networking and discussion with audience participation and interaction opportunities across each session’s design.
Global Gateway: launch of the Green Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap for Kenya
During the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of Kenya Ruto launched the Green Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap for Kenya, with the support of Global Gateway, Europe's investment strategy for the world.
The Roadmap, developed with EU experts, sets out Kenya's ambitions to develop its green hydrogen industry from this year to 2032 and beyond. It focuses on domestic market development and growth, exports, and includes specific objectives related to emission reduction, job creation, and direct investments.
Global Gateway: EU launches Digital Economy Package for Kenya to boost connectivity, skills and inclusive governance
As part of her official visit to Kenya, European Union Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen launched the EU’s Digital Economy Package for Kenya. As part of the Global Gateway investment strategy – the EU’s positive offer to advance the twin digital and green transition and to deliver trusted and sustainable connections to partner countries – the package reflects the EU’s strong commitment to Kenya’s technological transition by expanding the connectivity of schools, providing skills training for students and establishing a green digital innovation hub.
Global Gateway: Ghana and the EU mark a new chapter in the battle against illegal timber trade
Ghana will be the first country in Africa and second worldwide to provide the EU with export licences that verify the legality of their timber products. Meeting in Brussels, the implementation body of the Ghana-EU Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) on Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT), which brings together Ghanaian public authorities in charge of forest administration, the private sector, civil society and the European Commission, reached an agreement on the last steps towards issuing FLEGT licences, marking a new chapter in the battle against illegal timber trade.
Developing countries’ energy needs and priorities under a sustainable development perspective - The specific case of Africa and green hydrogen
On 20 September, a workshop on "Developing countries’ energy needs and priorities under a sustainable development perspective - The specific case of Africa and green hydrogen" took place from 10.30-12.00. The event was chaired by Tomas Tobé, Chair of the Committee on Development.
Ubi maior minor cessat: is it time for a new EU strategy in Tunisia and the Global South?
EBCAM's research assistant, Sara Lolli, has written an analysis on EU-Tunisia relationships in light of the recent developments in the Mediterranean for Eyes On Europe, the magazine of the Institut d'Etudes Européennes of the ULB.