By Jeff Kapembwa
The Global Gateway-The European Union-Africa partnership has been put in high gear with the 28-member grouping staking over €150 billion for the continent to apply climate smart-solutions, improve access to renewables, financial inclusion and conflict resolution, and attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, arguably, to strengthen state capacities.
The EU’s resolve is derived from the New Partnership for Africa’s Development to Agenda 2063: progress in the implementation of sustainable development in Africa and international support as delivered its Secretary General during the 80th UNGA in New York, last month.
Thérèse Blanchet, the EU Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union, had during the UNGA-held from 9–23 September reaffirmed the group’s commitment to sustain its collaboration with Africa-realising the continent’s growth sector capacities.
The consideration for the unwavering back-up comes amid heightening and devastating climate change, among other headwinds, an action coinciding with its 25th anniversary of its partnership with the African Union.
Under the EU €150 billion planned for mobilization by 2030, it plans to foster partnerships with private institutional investors boost sustainable investments and promote, climate-smart solutions, digital transformation, food systems transformation, agri-food value chains, and financial inclusion.
A staggering €545 million is planned for financing expansion of the Team Europe’s clean energy efforts in Africa, with new projects supporting electrification, modernise power grids, and improve access to renewables.
A staggering € 1 billion is intended to sustain partnerships in redressing insecurity, prevent conflicts, and promote genocide prevention on the continent, in full respect of international law, including the prohibition of the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity, sovereignty, or political independence of any state.
The EU reiterates its unwavering commitment to the prevention of genocide and any crime against humanity across the world and to ensure full accountability by perpetrators of the vices.
In recognition of Africa, as its primary trading partners, largest investor, main peace and security partner, and biggest contributor of ODA and humanitarian aid, the EU reaffirms its strong attachment with Africa.
This is as demonstrated by the recent 3rd EU-AU Ministerial Meeting in Brussels. This will further be cemented at the upcoming 7th AU-EU Summit, which will take place in Luanda next month.
“We have an ambitious, solution-oriented and forward-looking partnership firmly rooted in a multilateral system with the UN at its core” the EU statement reads in part, adding:
“We will continue to work towards enhanced and strengthened cooperation with our African partners, fostering a relationship based on principles such as national ownership, transparency, inclusiveness and respect of human rights.”
It recalls the resolutions from the 2022 EU-AU Summit, when the Team Europe combined resources and expertise to develop more than 100 initiatives with Africa in green energy, transport corridors, digitalisation, health systems and resources, among other strategic sectors.
It acknowledges social protection and inclusive economic participation as key elements of strong country systems and peace sustention, Team Europe facilitates a Social Enterprise Fund across Africa to promote access to finance for social enterprises, supporting innovative business models for young people and women.
It further recognizes the continent’s energy gap as one of the most significant barriers to its sustainable industrialization, which the EU is mobilising to close the gap.
To date, under the European Peace Facility (“EPF partners), French capital development, investment, and fund management firm specializing in small and mid-cap growth capital, over €1 billion support to African partners.
The effort lies in supporting towards the military and defence aspects of African peace and security initiatives.
This is to help thwart the repetition of any rejection and fighting against xenophobia. This includes any forms of discrimination and hate speech targeting persons belonging to national, ethnic, racial or religious groups, among other abominations.
Under the Global Gateway as the tool to implement the EU-AU partnership, a tool for collaboration, and to build resilient societies and economies in Africa.
It ultimately seeks to promote sustainable African agri-food systems through a conducive and transparent policy environment for sustainable private investments.
It thrives to, enhancing investments in support to agri-food and fish-processing, facilitating innovation and boosting improved nutrition by 2030 through accelerated sustainable transformation of African food systems.
This is focused in supporting of Africa’s agriculture, fisheries and food development agenda, among other initiatives focused to actualise.