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.
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
As the 16th Conference of Parties on the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) is taking place from October 21st to November 1st in Cali, Colombia, the European Union (EU) reaffirms its commitment to halting and reversing biodiversity loss worldwide by 2030.
Today in the framework of the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings, Commissioner Urpilainen reaffirmed Europe's commitment to fostering sustainable development across the globe through her participation in the WBG/IMF Development Committee as well as with a series of landmark agreements.
During her mission to the African Union (AU) and Ethiopia on Monday 14 October, European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen and AU leadership reaffirmed the two Unions’ shared commitment to sustainable prosperity and effective multilateralism, peace and security.
Related stories
The Mabang bridge connects Sierra Leone’s Northwestern and Southern regions. It is Sierra Leone’s longest bridge of this kind of structure built in recent times, and also the country’s second longest bridge after Aberdeen bridge in Freetown.
The project MyBusiness.cm has helped formalise more than 25,000 companies in the North, Central and Littoral regions by simplifying and automating business creation.
Le gouvernement centrafricain a inauguré 935 km de fibre optique terrestre et sous-fluviale le 6 février dernier à Bangui. L’installation et la mise en opération de la fibre optique est le fruit d’un partenariat entre l’UE, le gouvernement centrafricain et la Banque Africaine de Développement.