The Global Gateway strategy aims to strengthen connections between Europe and the world and help partner countries address the digital divide and further develop a sustainable digital economy.
Digital technologies and services are proven enablers of sustainable development and inclusive growth. They can be key to improving lives even in the poorest countries, in particular by empowering women and girls, enhancing democratic governance and transparency, and boosting productivity and job creation.
Connectivity is also about infrastructure and connecting regions and cities. Building a road, a tunnel or a bridge to connect citizens to healthcare, markets, jobs and schools can radically improve the lives and livelihoods of rural communities. These connections will create new opportunities across entire regions. Poor infrastructure hampers a country’s growth and ability to trade in the global economy.
Programmes

The ACP-EU Programme to Strengthen Research and Innovation capacity in ACP countries targets public and private stakeholders with a comprehensive package of opportunities.

The BELLA Programme provides support for the long-term interconnectivity of European and Latin American research and education communities through ‘EllaLink’, a new 6,000 km submarine cable.
- Global Gateway - Areas of partnership
- Digital

The PRIDA programme aims to promote universally accessible and affordable broadband across the continent, unlocking the benefits of internet-based services for all

The aim of the Smart Development Fund is to refine digital solutions to counter COVID-19 challenges in, and with, EU partner countries.
Latest news
The European Union and Costa Rica have further enhanced digital connectivity and technological sovereignty with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Costa Rica’s Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology and Telecommunications and Hispasat, a leading European satellite provider.

The European Union and the five Central Asia countries further deepened their mutual-beneficial partnership, mobilising investments under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy in the areas of digital connectivity, transport, critical raw materials, and the water, energy and climate sector.
On 6 March, the III EU-CLASI ministerial meeting brought together Ministers of Interior and Security from the European Union and Latin America to reinforce cooperation in tackling global security challenges.