The EU on strengthening Europe-Africa relations

The European Union Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, recently sat down for an exclusive interview with CNBC Africa's Godfrey Mutizwa at the 2024 Hamburg Sustainability Conference. The discussion revolved around the importance of the partnership between the European Union and Africa, focusing on mutual respect, trust, and beneficial collaboration rather than a traditional donor-recipient relationship. Urpilainen emphasized that Europe's future is intricately tied to Africa's, highlighting the need for equal partnerships and sustainable development. She referenced the successful African Union-European Union Summit in 2022 as a key milestone, where a global gateway investment package of up to 150 billion euros by 2027 was announced. This commitment includes investments in various sectors such as energy, transport, digital infrastructure, health, and education, with specific initiatives like vaccine production in Africa and green energy projects in Namibia and West Africa. Urpilainen stressed the importance of engaging not only with governments but also with private sector entities, civil society organizations, and Africa's vibrant youth population, recognizing the continent's potential and ambition. Despite global geopolitical tensions and competing offers from other actors like China, the EU remains Africa's largest investor, trade partner, and official development assistance provider. Urpilainen underscored the EU's support for Africa's representation and reforms in international institutions like the United Nations Security Council, advocating for a more inclusive and representative global governance structure. As Urpilainen nears the end of her term, she expressed her deep connection to Africa and commitment to fostering stronger EU-Africa ties in the future, reflecting on the diverse experiences and partnerships she has cultivated across the continent.