President Ursula von der Leyen met with President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during the 2025 Global Gateway Forum. The meeting reaffirmed the European Union’s strong partnership with the DRC, a key partner in Central Africa and an essential actor for Africa’s green and digital transitions, and for global sustainability. 

The EU and the Democratic Republic of Congo are deepening their cooperation through Global Gateway. At this year’s Global Gateway Forum, the European Commission and Team Europe actors will announce over €180 million in new investments supporting flagship initiatives across energy, transport, biodiversity and value chains. 

Among the major initiatives: 

• The Kivu–Kinshasa Green Corridor, which brings together nature conservation, enabling infrastructure and the development of a green economy (€60.5 million).
• The Lobito Corridor, strengthening agricultural value chains, and transboundary trade (€16 million).
• The electrification of the city of Kisangani, with €20 million in EU grants unlocking €70 million in loans from the French Development Agency (AFD).
• Cooperation on Critical Raw Materials, including €2 million for Cobalt4Development and €11.8 million to strengthen the Ministry of Mines and promote sustainable value chains. 

Together, these projects support the DRC’s sustainable growth, deepen regional integration, and promote responsible resource management. They build on a wider cooperation portfolio, spanning green energy, biodiversity protection, connectivity, social development, and peace and security.

Source : EU Commission