Guinea-Bissau is a country in West Africa with an estimated population of 2 million people. The country has experienced chronic political instability and institutional fragility since its independence and is highly vulnerable to the impact of climate change. However, its coastal location provides opportunities for the development of the fisheries sector, on which the economy is mainly based on. Its biodiversity, cultural diversity, and historical sites offer great potential for tourism development.
Our partnership
The EU supports Guinea-Bissau in reducing high levels of poverty and inequality and addressing governance challenges in line with the country’s National Development Plan “Terra Ranka 2025” and the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy.
Team Europe in Guinea-Bissau brings together the EU, the European Investment Bank, France, Portugal, and Spain, and focuses on education and training towards an inclusive and green transition
Under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI-Global Europe), the EU has allocated EUR 112 million in grant funding for the Guinea-Bissau partnership over 2021-2024. Guinea-Bissau also benefits from various multi-country and globally supported EU initiatives.
Multiannual Indicative Programme 2021-2027 for Guinea-Bissau - annex
Annual Action Plan 2023 for Guinea-Bissau
Individual measure 2023 for Guinea-Bissau
Annual action plan 2022 for Guinea-Bissau
Annual action plan 2021 for Guinea-Bissau
Programming documents 2014-2020 for Guinea-Bissau
Our flagship initiatives
- Health
to support the results already achieved in maternal and child health. The EU health programme contributed to equip 5 regional hospitals and 7 health centres with water supply and solar electricity systems and provide quality medical equipment and health supplies for maternal and childcare to 132 health centres. The EU will contribute to strengthening the national health system progressing towards universal health coverage, in line with the EU-Africa Global Gateway Investment Package on health.
- Education
to support the improvement of youth and women’s employability through education and technical and vocational training, particularly in the agriculture sector. Under the previous TVET programme, 780 young people were trained and 1.020 have entered the job market.
- Cities
to support national programmes on urban planning that promote inclusive and green growth and to improve municipal and local services, such as access to clean water and waste management.
- Agriculture and fisheries
to strengthen the agribusiness and fisheries value chains by combining institutional development, capacity building and private sector development, while promoting entrepreneurship.
- Transport
to enhance safe and efficient connectivity by rehabilitating 115 km of the road connecting Bissau to the Senegal boarder. This will facilitate population’s access to economic activities and markets and enhance trade and regional integration.
- Good governance
to uphold democratic governance and stability by promoting transparent and accountable institutions, enhancing the rule of law, and reinforcing access to justice and protection of human rights. EU support focuses on capacity building and continuous training, knowledge exchange and technical assistance to government institutions law enforcement bodies and civil society organisations.