Guinea is a middle-sized West African country and it ranks amongst its poorest. It is one of the major countries of origin of migration, exacerbated by the long political instability of the country, weak development of the labour market and weak governance in general.
Guinea has unexploited economic potential with important mineral, hydropower and agricultural resources.
Our priorities
The programming exercise in the Republic of Guinea is based on an EU assessment of its policy towards this partner country for the period 2021-2027.
The main objective of the European Union in Guinea is to strengthen a partnership that allows:
- strengthening the country's stability by consolidating a democratic model
- improving the control of migratory flows
- enhancing economic, trade, and investment opportunities in the country
- combating climate change and the environmental crisis in the country
- ensuring respect for the fundamental values and principles common to the EU and its Member States
Alignment with the national policy of the Republic of Guinea is possible once Guinea's new National Development Plan has been adopted and is deemed credible and relevant. The Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) is based on the following priority areas:
Transition and green economy
In line with the "European Green Deal", including the "Farm2Fork Strategy", we will accelerate the transition towards sustainable and inclusive agri-food systems in Guinea with a strengthening of three dimensions of sustainability: social, environmental, and economic. This durability of food systems will be pursued particularly through interventions in the sectors of agriculture and fisheries but is also a cross-cutting consideration addressed in other sectors, including energy, preservation of the environment, water and sanitation, and health.
Human Development
Access to drinking water, in sufficient quantity and at an affordable cost, to sanitation and to hygiene are part of the basic social rights, recognized as priorities by the EU in its Action Plan for Human Rights and Democracy for the period 2021-2024. The EU plans to capitalize on its commitment, by extending the achievements of the SANITA programme to wastewater management and water supply in an integrated approach to water and sanitation, implementing the circular economy model.
Democracy, governance, and migration management
Economic diversification must go hand in hand with better governance, democratic strength, and the rule of law. The growth of the sectors targeted by European support must allow an increased mobilization of taxes and revenues for the State budget. In addition, the exploitation of natural resources must be sustainable and go hand in hand with good governance including the inclusion of all stakeholders.
Our programmes
The Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) for Guinea for 2021-2024 amounts to €239 million.
Priority area 1: ‘’Transition and green economy’’
The choice of supporting ecological transition and environmental preservation as a priority area for Guinea is justified by the great transformational potential of the country and the strong pressures on the environment. This priority area is aligned with national, international and European priorities, such as the "European Green Deal", including the "Farm2Fork Strategy", and the "NaturAfrica" initiative.
Priority area 2: ‘’Human Development’’
The need for water and sanitation is enormous. Even though Guinea has West Africa's largest water reserve, access to clean water supply in urban areas is estimated at 72%. A comparable picture presents itself in solid waste management. Improved water supply and sanitation help achieve and contribute to several other SDGs, including those related to disease prevention and better nutrition. Finally, good urban management, which offers prospects and livable infrastructure to citizens, in a cost-saving approach is in the mutual interest of Guinea and the EU.
Priority area 3: ‘’Democracy, governance, and migration management’’
Governance and the performance of the state apparatus remain weak. The EU aims to improve governance and the performance of state institutions, guarantee stability and the rule of law, and strengthen migration management and reintegration of returning migrants in Guinea.
Support measures
Civil society participation is essential for good governance in all areas. By civil society organisations, we mean the social partners, non-governmental organisations, grassroots organisations, the media, defenders of human rights and freedoms fundamentals, etc. These must be engaged in an open, transparent, and regular dialogue with national authorities.
Guinean civil society is extremely fragile, fragmented, and polarized, and its level of internal communication is very weak, as well as its financial management capacities. To strengthen the national dialogue, support can be envisaged for civil society. Moreover, the representation of young people will be associated with the themes of the MIP.