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International Partnerships
News announcement11 September 2020Directorate-General for International Partnerships

A new era of digital cooperation: embracing Africa and Europe’s 4th Industrial Revolution

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Beyond the introduction of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), there is arguably no area more important to Africa’s economic growth and integration than the potential created by digital transformation and the advent of the 4th industrial revolution. Characterised by the junction of digital, physical, and biological systems to create a world defined by green energy, sustainable production systems and an intelligent and connected ecosystem, both Africa and Europe are at a pivotal point in time, where a transformative and shared digital agenda can prepare them to tackle their common future.

Through its “Debating Africa-EU” series, Friends of Europe is collaborating with the EU to engage its partners and the new EU College of Commissioners around their vision and priorities for EU-Africa cooperation. The series has been timed to take place in the run-up to the AU-EU Summit in October 2020. Following the first two debates of June 30 with Commissioner Urpilainen and September 10 with Commissioners Simson, Sacko and Abou-Zeid, the third ‘In Conversation With’ in this series takes place on September 17 with European Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton and the African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid. The strategic focus of the discussion will be on “A New Era of Digital Cooperation – Embracing Africa and Europe’s 4th Industrial Revolution”.

Details

Publication date
11 September 2020
Author
Directorate-General for International Partnerships