During the summit titled ‘The Mattei Plan for Africa and the Global Gateway: A common effort with the African Continent, several financing agreements with African partners were signed in Rome, where President Ursula von der Leyen participated.
Hosted by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the event aimed to leverage synergies between the EUs Global Gateway strategy and Italys Mattei Plan for Africa.
Half of Global Gateways investments, totaling up to €300 billion, are dedicated to Africa, aligning the EUs plan with Italys Mattei Plan, emphasizing the Unions unique Team Europe approach.
President von der Leyen highlighted the strengthening ties between Europe and Africa, stating, “Africa is a rising continent, having created 100 million new jobs in the last decade. Europe is ready to partner with Africa in sectors from agriculture to clean energy and AI.”
The agreements signed today total approximately €1.2 billion and focus on infrastructure, digital connectivity, AI, renewable energy, and agriculture.
One major project, the Lobito Corridor, aims to connect Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Angolas port of Lobito.
Additionally, a financing agreement with Angola will support vocational training programs to equip locals with necessary skills for the project.
Following the summit, the Blue Raman submarine cable, which will connect India and Europe through Djibouti, will be extended, linking East Africa to digital markets and creating new economic opportunities.
A new initiative called TERRA will support millions of Africans in agriculture, particularly in the coffee value chain.
President von der Leyen stated, “We will invest in traditional and high-tech solutions to enhance coffee cultivation while protecting the environment. Millions of livelihoods depend on coffee exports from Africa and imports to Europe.”
The European Commission is also joining the Italy-led AI Hub for Sustainable Development, promoting access to emerging technologies and training young Africans. It has committed additional support for the ‘Scaling up renewables in Africa initiative launched by President von der Leyen and South Africas President Cyril Ramaphosa last year.
European and African leaders will review the new partnerships established under Global Gateway and the Mattei Plan at the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels this October.
More information
Opening remarks by President von der Leyen at the Mattei Plan Summit