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Europe is betting €200 billion on Africa and economic security

Brussels launched Global Gateway as an ethical alternative to China’s lending – now its priorities are economic sustainability with a preference for European business

Two Global Gateway projects worth €57.8 million (US$66.5m) were unveiled at the Africa Green Hydrogen Summit in Cape Town on 15-16 September, backing South African green hydrogen and battery value chains with Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands as partners. The sums are modest against China's Belt and Road Initiative, whose Africa investments grew 254% in the first half of 2026. With Brussels earmarking €200 billion for Africa in the ‘Global Europe’ budget line from 2028 and a €15bn crisis reserve under discussion, the EU’s Africa ambitions will be tested on how quickly it can convert such headline pledges into bankable, large-scale deals.

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