The European Business Council for Africa

Civil Society Dialogue on EU trade and investment relations with Sub-Saharan Africa

Monday 2 March 2026, 10:00 - 12:30 (CET)

Brussels, Belgium

 

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss with EU civil society the latest developments in the EU’s trade and investment relations with Sub-Saharan Africa and exchange views with participants.

The EU is the largest trading and investment partner of Sub-Saharan Africa, with €160 billion accounting for 46% of total EU-Africa trade in 2024.

You will hear about the issues that are shaping the EU's trade and investment agenda with Sub-Saharan Africa, including the implementation of the first EU Sustainable Investment Facilitation Agreement (SIFA) – with Angola, and the possible launch of SIFAs with interested partners in the region, the EU’s trade engagement in the region supported by six Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with 15 countries – the EU-Kenya EPA is the latest to be implemented, the next steps in the EU’s first-ever Clean Trade and Investment Partnership (CTIP) signed in November 2025 (with South Africa), the launch of the EU-Nigeria Trade and Investment Dialogue in September 2025, and the trade aspects of the EU-African Union Summit held in November 2025 in Luanda.

For the point on the EU-Angola SIFA, representatives of the Republic of Angola will also be present in the meeting. The meeting offers an opportunity for participants to express their views on the implementation of the SIFA ahead of the meeting of the EU-Angola Committee on Investment Facilitation on 3 March 2026. 

Speakers

Lead speakers

  • Rosário Bento Pais, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Angola
  • Joanna Szychowska, Director – Asia (I), Services and Investment, Digital Trade, Intellectual Property and Public Procurement, European Commission
  • Representative of the Ministry of Planning, Republic of Angola
  • Head of Unit – Africa and Pacific, Overseas Countries and Territories Unit, Directorate-General for Trade, European Commission 

Moderator

  • Deputy Head of Unit - Transparency, Civil society and Communication Unit, Directorate-General for Trade, European Commission

Agenda

  1. Introduction.
  2. Presentation by lead speakers.
  3. Open discussion with stakeholders.

This is a hybrid meeting. We would be grateful if participants could arrive 30 minutes in advance. There will be a welcome desk in the security screening area of the Berlaymont building where IDs will be checked for security clearance. Please bring with you the confirmation of your V-pass and an ID card or passport.

Webex access code and password will be sent to registered participants. We would be grateful if participants could launch their WEBEX connection at least 30 minutes in advance of the meeting so that any technical problems can be arranged in time before the meeting.

 

Location : Berlaymont Building, European Commission, Rue de la Loi 200, 1049 Brussels, Belgium

 

Find more information and registration here