On the occasion of the Global Gateway Forum, the EU is concluding a series of agreements with various African countries to boost the energy transition there. Thus, the EU launched a Team Europe Initiative to develop green hydrogen in Mauritania and accelerate its energy transition, presented an investment package of €246 million to boost green energy and sustainable transport in Cabo Verde, and strengthened the strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials and green hydrogen with Namibia.

These agreements, released by the European Commission, represent a significant investment of more than one billion euros to cooperate in driving the global energy transition, a key aspect of international decarbonization goals.

Namibia

The Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and President of Namibia Hage Geingob endorsed the roadmap for the EU–Namibia strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials value chains and renewable hydrogen, supported by €1 billion in investments by the EU, its Member States and European financial institutions. the EU will also support an upcoming study for the development of the Port of Walvis Bay into an industrial and logistics hub for the region, contributing to its integration and economic development.

In November 2022, Namibia and the EU signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a strategic partnership on Sustainable Raw Materials Value Chains and Renewable Hydrogen. The operational roadmap, launched and endorsed and for the upcoming period 2023–2025, details the concrete actions in which the partnership will advance its goals, in close cooperation with EU and Namibia financial and private sector stakeholders.

The actions in the roadmap follow the six pillars of the Memorandum of Understanding: integration of value chains; cooperation to leverage environmental, social and governance criteria; mobilising funding for soft and hard infrastructure; capacity building, training and skills development; co-operation on research and innovation; and regulatory alignment.

Mauritania

In addition, Von der Leyen and the Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani launched a new Team Europe Initiative to support investment in the energy transition and decarbonisation of Mauritania's economy, by developing its green hydrogen industries.

The new Team Europe initiative backed by the European Commission, France, Germany, Spain and the European Investment Bank as Team Europe aims to: support the development of infrastructures needed in Mauritania to allow the green energy to be produced, transported, and commercialised; foster decent job creation, particularly for youth, support private sector and strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem; contribute to skills development through technical and vocational training; and consolidate the legal and fiscal framework, improve the business climate to create a favourable investment environment for the development of hydrogen exploitation.

This new Team Europe Initiative will mobilise significant additional investments, that will be further concretised in the coming months.

Cabo Verde

Finally, Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister of Cabo Verde, Ulisses Correia e Silva took a significant step toward a greener, more sustainable future for Cabo Verde, presenting a substantial package of investments, worth €246 million to boost the green transition, sustainable transport and digital connectivity in the country as part of Global Gateway.

The package presented includes: Unlocking the Power of Green Energy for Cabo Verde; unleashing the Power of Wind; upgrading Cabo Verde's Ports; and unrolling high-speed internet for Cabo Verde's people and businesses.

These agreements represent significant strides toward a sustainable and prosperous future for Cabo Verde. In addition, all measures will be supported by a significant investment from the European Investment Bank (EIB).

As the Global Gateway Strategy continues to progress, these initiatives pave the way for a cleaner, more connected Cabo Verde.