JOINT COMMUNICATION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL Towards a comprehensive Strategy with Africa
Date: 2020-03-09
Institutions: Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development, European Commission
Subjects: Africa, EU investment, EU strategy, adaptation to climate change, digitisation, economic development, environmental cooperation, human rights, migration policy, sustainable development

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION HIGH REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNION FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND SECURITY POLICY Brussels, 9.3.2020  JOIN(2020) 4 final  JOINT COMMUNICATION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL Towards a comprehensive Strategy with Africa        
 
 
Towards a comprehensive strategy with Africa 

Africa is Europe’s closest neighbour. The ties that bind Africa and the European Union (EU) 
are broad and deep as a result of history, proximity and shared interests. With the 6th Summit 
between  the  African  Union  (AU)  and  the  EU  and  the  conclusion  of  the  negotiations  of  the 
new partnership agreement between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of 
States,  2020  will  be  a  pivotal  year  in  living  up  to  our  ambition  of  an  even  stronger 
partnership.  In  Africa,  new  prospects  and  challenges  are  emerging  from  economic, 
political,  social,  technological,  demographic,  climate  and  environmental  changes.  We 
need to partner with Africa, our twin continent, to tackle together the challenges of the 21st 
century and to further our common interests and future. 

Africa,  in  all  its  diversity,  is  home  to  over  1  billion  people.  It  boasts  the  youngest,  fastest-
growing  middle-class  in  the  world.  Africa’s  young  people  have  the  potential  to  transform 
their continent’s political, economic and social prospects, but for this they need decent jobs, a 
place  in  society,  access  to  social  services,  energy  and  infrastructure,  and  an  active  role  in 
determining  their  countries’  future.  In  particular,  African  women  are  key  drivers  of 
sustainable  growth,  development  and  peace.  Responding  to  their  aspirations  will  determine 
the future of the continent. 

Africa has been recording steady economic growth. In 2018, six of the ten fastest growing 
economies  in  the  world  were  African.  Thirty  African  States  are  middle-income  or  high-
income  countries.  The  continent’s  economic  expansion  has  the  potential  to  accelerate  and 
drive broader social and human development with new opportunities arising from the digital 
transformation,  the  demographic  dividend,  low-cost  renewable  energy,  the  green  transition 
and a low-carbon, blue and circular economy. This reflects the vision of the African leaders 
transformative  initiatives,  including  the  African  Union’s  Agenda  2063,  the  African 
Continental Free Trade Area, the African Visa-free Area, a Single African Digital Market and 
the Single African Air Transport Market. 

At the same time,  a number of challenges  remain. Thirty-six of the world’s most fragile 
countries are in Africa, often weakened by conflicts. The continent hosts 390 million people 
living  below  the  poverty  line.  Growth  has  not  always  been  inclusive,  notably  due  to 
governance challenges. Africa, as the rest of the world, is also affected by the consequences 
of  climate  change,  environmental  degradation  and  pollution.  The  EU  and  Africa  can  work 
together  to  seize  the  opportunities  and  address  these  challenges  and  develop  actions  that 
ensure  stability,  peace,  security,  human  rights,  democracy,  gender  equality,  sustainable 
livelihoods, sustainable economic growth based on healthy ecosystems, social cohesion and 
good governance.  

responsibilities, 

respective  and  mutual 

To benefit both continents, our partnership should be based on a clear understanding of 
the 
interests  and 
our 
comprehensiveness and maturity of our relationship. These interests include: developing a 
green growth model; improving the business environment and investment climate; boosting 
education,  research  and  innovation,  the  creation  of  decent  jobs  and  value  addition  through 
sustainable investments; maximising the benefits of regional economic integration and trade; 
ensuring food security and rural development; combatting climate change; ensuring access to 
sustainable  energy  and  protecting  biodiversity  and  natural  resources;  promoting  peace  and 
security;  ensuring  well-governed  migration  and  mobility;  engaging  together  on  the  global 
scene  to  strengthen  the  multilateral  rules-based  order,  promoting  universal  values,  human 
rights, democracy, rule of law and gender equality. 

reflecting 

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Positive developments in one of these areas depend on progress in other areas. Such progress 
can only be achieved by working together on the basis of shared global commitments, such as 
the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change 
and Agenda 2063. 

Africa’s potential attracts increased interest from many players on the world scene. This 
is a welcome development, as it increases Africa’s options and creates room for synergies. It 
also means that Europe, with the EU and its Member States working together in unison,  must 
adapt  the  way  it  engages  with  Africa,  ensuring  its  positioning  is  in  line  with  our  mutual 
interests,  and  giving  more  prominence  to  values,  key  principles,  and  good  regulatory 
practices. The EU and its Member States are Africa’s biggest partner on all accounts, be it in 
terms  of  investment,  trade,  official  development  assistance,  or  security.  This  reliable,  long-
term,  multi-faceted  partnership  should  now  also  translate  into  a  strong  political  alliance. 
Stronger  political,  economic  and  cultural  ties  between  Europe  and  Africa  are  crucial  in  a 
multipolar  world  where  collective  action  is  sorely  needed.  Enhanced  cooperation  on  global 
and multilateral affairs will be at the heart of our common action. 

To  strengthen  the  EU’s  strategic  alliance  with  Africa,  the  European  Commission  and  the 
High Representative of the Union are proposing to engage discussions with African partners 
in  view  of  jointly  defining  at  the  upcoming  EU-AU  Summit  a  new  comprehensive  EU 
strategy with Africa that could be built on five partnerships: 

1.  A partnership for green transition and energy access; 

2.  A partnership for digital transformation; 

3.  A partnership for sustainable growth and jobs;  

4.  A partnership for peace and governance; and 

5.  A partnership on migration and mobility. 

This new strategy and these partnerships are in line with the common priorities set by the EU 
and the African Union at the 2017 Summit in Abidjan. It takes inspiration notably from the 
very  fruitful  discussions  between  the  European  Commission  and  the  African  Union 
Commission,  which took place in  Addis  Ababa on 27 February 2020 and reflects  the EU’s 
proposals  for  the  ongoing  exchanges  with  African  partners  in  view  of  defining  a  joint 
partnership  agenda  at  the  upcoming  EU-AU  Summit  in  October  2020.  EU-Africa 
engagement will continue at bilateral, regional and continental level.  

I. 

Partners for green transition and energy access 

The fight against climate change and environmental degradation is this generation’s defining 
task.  Therefore  Europe  and  Africa  are  allies  in  the  development  of  sustainable  energy, 
transport  solutions,  farming,  circular  and  blue  economies  which  can  underpin  Africa’s 
economic  growth.  To achieve the Sustainable Development  Goals,  the EU and Africa alike 
need  to  opt  for  a  low-carbon,  resource  efficient  and  climate-resilient  future  in  line  with 
the  Paris  Agreement.  African  countries  are  particularly  vulnerable  to  climate  change  as  it 
risks jeopardising ongoing progress on sustainable development.  

We  must  work  towards  healthy  ecosystems,  limiting  and  halting  global  warming,  reducing 
vulnerabilities and enhancing opportunities for people and ecosystems to adapt. This requires 

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stepping  up  efforts  on  climate  change  mitigation  and  resilience  as  well  as  taking  adequate 
adaptation measures in a socially sustainable way.  

Innovation is key to drive green transition. Investments should therefore be geared towards 
strengthening  scientific  capacities  in  Africa  by  providing  access  and  local  adaptation  to 
technologies. This will enable African countries to pursue a low-carbon, climate resilient and 
green  growth  trajectory,  that  avoids  inefficient  technologies  and  resists  new  investment  in 
coal  power  generation,  deploying  instead  new  renewable  energy  sources  and  hydrogen 
production.  Trade  should  also  facilitate  the  adoption  of  innovative,  sustainable  business 
models and play a leading role to shape a climate-neutral future. 

Africa is home to vast natural capital, unique biodiversity and ecosystems such as forests. 
This offers significant opportunities for social and economic development and can contribute 
to  lasting  nature-based  solutions  to  climate  change  mitigation  and  adaptation.  At  the  same 
time,  there  is  a  risk  of  overexploitation  and  depletion  in  addition  to  the  threats  posed  by 
unsustainable fishing and management  of water resources, pollution, desertification, and, in 
the case of coastal areas, rising sea levels.  

A  clean  circular  economy  with  sustainable  and  fair  value  chains  will  be  key  for  the 
transition to a sustainable economic model. This means that the value of products, materials 
and  resources  are  maintained  in  the  economy  for  as  long  as  possible.  It  also  implies  that 
waste  is  minimised,  while  natural  resources,  wastewater  and  sanitation  are  managed  in  a 
sustainable  way.  This  requires  enhanced  cooperation  between  the  EU  and  Africa  on  a 
responsible  raw  materials  sector,  secure  and  clean  industrial  value  chains,  respecting 
ambitious environmental and climate standards.  

African  cities  have  a  key  role  to  play  in  the  green  transition;  the  EU  should  support  the 
development  of  green  and  smart  urbanisation  models  and  businesses  in  Africa,  thereby 
tackling pollution.  

To  address  the  needs  of  its  growing  population  and  economy,  Africa  needs  to  double  its 
energy  supply  by  2040  while  ensuring  access  to  electricity  for  600  million  people.  This 
means  putting  the  focus  on  resilient  infrastructure,  cleaner,  more  sustainable  and  secure 
energy access, maximising renewable energy sources, energy transition and efficiency across 
all value chains, as well as regional integration for energy security. The EU should build with 
Africa a strong partnership on sustainable energy for both rural and urban populations. 

The  EU  and  Africa  must  join  efforts  to  reach  the  Sustainable  Development  Goal  of  zero 
hunger  and  address  the  challenges  of  nutrition  and  food  security  by  boosting  safe  and 
sustainable agri-food systems. A partnership on agriculture would support the development 
of  environment-friendly  agricultural  practices,  promote  local  production  and  integrate 
biodiversity  concerns.  This  includes  setting  sanitary  and  phytosanitary  standards  and  the 
protection of natural resources. Trade between the EU and Africa plays an instrumental role 
supporting opportunities for sustainable food systems.  

At the same time, agricultural food production, processing and distribution provides the bulk 
of direct employment and income in Africa particularly in rural areas contributing thus to a 
balanced territorial development. It has the potential to provide employment for a significant 

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part  of  the  800  million  African  people  that  are  estimated  to  enter  the  workforce  within  the 
next 30 years.1  

Proposed Action 1 – Partner with Africa to maximise the benefits of the green transition 
and minimise threats to the environment in full compliance with the Paris Agreement.2  

To do this, it is proposed that the EU supports the implementation of Nationally Determined 
Contributions,  help  devise  ambitious  long-term  strategies  for  reducing  emissions  and 
contribute to the development of national adaptation plans.  

By  supporting  integrated  national  financing  frameworks,  the  EU  continues  working  with 
countries in  their efforts to  mobilise and align a wide range of financing  sources with  their 
sustainable development priorities. The EU should partner with Africa on green finance, on 
sustainable energy and energy efficiency through the launch of  a ‘Green  Energy’ initiative, 
building  on  the  recommendations  of  the  High  Level  Platform  for  Sustainable  Energy 
Investments  in  Africa.  The  EU  and  Africa  should  also  share  experiences  in  managing  a 
socially just transition away from fossil fuels.  

In partnership with Africa, the EU should encourage better ocean governance, including the 
development  of  a  sustainable  fisheries  and  blue  economy.  The  EU  is  ready  to  scale  up  the 
fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing to address the environmental threat it 
poses  to  the  sustainability  of  fish  stocks,  the  profits  of  fishermen  and  coastal  communities 
who follow the rules. 

Finally, the EU and Africa should take joint action to protect and reduce pressure on forests, 
water  and  marine  ecosystems  while  enhancing  their  management  by  tackling  illegal 
harvesting  and  combating  environmental  crime,  thereby  tackling  the  drivers  of  biodiversity 
loss. This can be done inter alia by launching a ‘NaturAfrica’ initiative. 

II. 

Partners for digital transformation 

Access to safe and affordable digital services needs to be ensured for all through investment 
in  infrastructure  and  reliable  sources  of  electricity.  Establishing  a  regulatory  environment 
for  competitive  and  harmonised  regional  connectivity  markets  is  also  key.  Unfolding  the 
potential  benefits  of  digitalisation  requires  a  robust  regulatory  framework,  in  areas  such  as 
data  and  consumer  protection,  digital  financial  services,  cybercrime  and  e-governance. 
Specific  policies  are  needed  to  ensure  full  digital  inclusion  and  digital  equality  for  women 
and marginalised communities. 

It is estimated that a 10% increase in digital coverage could result in an increase of over 1% 
in  African  GDP.  Through  adequate  reforms  and  investments  to  support  the  African 
aspirations  to  build  a  single  African  digital  market,  and  building  on  a  new  digital 
transformation  strategy, Africa can harness  digitalisation as a  driver for growth across  all 
sectors of the economy. Digital  infrastructures and support for digital  entrepreneurship  and 

1 UNDESA world population prospects 2017. 
2 This proposed action is in line with Sustainable Development Goals 2 (zero hunger), 6 (clean water), 7 
(affordable and clean energy), 8 (decent work and economic growth), 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), 
11 (sustainable cities and communities), 12 (responsible consumption and production), 13 (climate action), 14 
(life below water), and 15 (life on land). 

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innovation  have  the  potential  to  provide  much-needed  jobs  for  the  15  to  20  million  young 
people who are entering the workforce every year.  

Digital  transformation  can  also  modernise  traditional  sectors  such  as  agriculture;  improve 
access  to  quality  services;  increase  public  revenue;  and  make  the  public  sector  more 
transparent  and  accountable,  thereby  enhancing  public  trust  in  governments.  It  can  also 
transform  the  delivery  of  public  services,  including  education,  training,  energy  and 
healthcare, including improving access to health services in remote areas and by facilitating 
diagnostics  and  treatments.  E-governance  will  protect  consumers  and  privacy  and  support 
the fight against corruption. E-commerce and digital financial services have the potential to 
boost  Africa’s  economic  integration  by  improving  access  to  goods  and  services  across  the 
continent. Digital services can also increase access to transaction accounts and digital finance 
solutions for banking, insurance or payment services, including remittances. 

The acceleration of the digitalisation of public administration is a necessary pre-condition 
to create value for citizens and businesses across Europe and Africa and an essential element 
to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. To this end, strengthened cooperation in the 
implementation  of  interoperable  digital  solutions  would  be  useful  to  address  digital  skills 
gaps, promote the use of open data, strengthen cybersecurity  and harness new technologies 
such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and big data In that regard, capacity building in the 
public sector is important to support the broader digital transformation agenda.  

Digitalisation must be accompanied by  strong measures to ensure security, resilience and 
deterrence  against  cybercrime,  including  international  cooperation  within  established  legal 
frameworks. The EU and Africa should deepen their collaboration in this regard, including to 
prevent the exploitation of the Internet for terrorism and violent extremism.  

Appropriate  legislation  and  operational  capacity  will  be  necessary  to  achieve  progress  in 
these  areas  and  curb  online  threats  to  democracy  and  human  rights.  With  respect  to 
addressing  disinformation,  the  EU  has  developed  useful  instruments  and  will  continue  to 
work closely with its African partners to find common approaches and share best practices.  

The digital economy calls for better digital skills and literacy and generates high demand for 
a  qualified,  local  workforce  in  all  sectors  that  can  benefit  from  the  digital  transformation. 
Quality  learning  and  vocational  training  opportunities  delivered  by  public  and  private 
institutions must be further developed.  

The use of space data and technology contributes to smart and safe transport, green cities, 
sustainable management of natural resources and efficient agriculture. The open and free data 
provided  by  the  EU  Space  programmes  can  boost  a  nascent  African  space  private  sector, 
enabling  start-ups  and  small  and  medium-sized  enterprises  (SMEs)  to  develop  local 
innovative solutions and services. The Earth observation monitoring of natural resources, of 
land  use,  of  inland  water  resources,  and  of  marine  and  coastal  ecosystems  can  underpin 
policy and decision-making in Africa. 

Proposed  Action  2  –  Partner  with  Africa  to  boost  the  continent’s  digital 
transformation.3  

3 This proposed action is in line with Sustainable Development Goals 4 (quality education), 5 (gender equality), 
and 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure). 

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This  requires  focus  on  regulatory  convergence,  including  strengthening  personal  data 
protection, investment in key enabling sustainable  infrastructure, the digitalisation of public 
administrations for the provision of e-services, greater education and training opportunities as 
well as increasing secure data flows. The EU should also pursue its cooperation with Africa 
on artificial intelligence, which should be responsibly developed and used. 

III. 

Partners for sustainable growth and jobs 

The close ties and geographic proximity between the EU and Africa make them natural allies 
in  bringing about  inclusive and sustainable economic growth  on both  continents.  Economic 
opportunities and decent job creation in Africa and the EU could be substantially enhanced 
through joint action on four priority fronts: 

(a)  boosting trade and sustainable investments in Africa;  

(b) improving the investment climate and business environment; 

(c)  increasing  access  to  quality  education,  skills,  research,  innovation,  health  and 

social rights; 

(d) advancing regional and continental economic integration. 

The European Green Deal4, is both the EU’s new growth strategy and a plan to make Europe 
the  world’s  first  climate-neutral  continent  by  2050.  With  its  huge  renewable  energy  and 
biodiversity potential, Africa is extremely well placed to develop and implement sustainable 
solutions as its economy grows. 

Building on the initial successes of the Africa-Europe Alliance on Sustainable Investment and 
Jobs and on the work by the joint task forces on digital economy, energy, transport and rural 
Africa,  the  EU  proposes  to  turn  the  Alliance5  into  the  central  pillar  of  economic  relations 
between the two continents.  

a. 

Sustainable investments  

investments  are  crucial 

Public  and  private 
to 
stimulating entrepreneurship and sustainable economic 
diversification.  The 
focus  should  be:  core  quality 
infrastructure  that  is  climate-resilient;  access  to  finance; 
better data to help identify the most efficient and effective 
the 
deployment  of  new  sustainable  energy  sources; 
development  of  a  value-adding  private  sector  with  high 
potential  for  economic  growth  and  the  creation  of  decent 
jobs.  With  a  foreign  direct  investment  stock  reaching 
EUR 222 billion, the EU is the largest investor in Africa, well ahead of the United States 
(EUR 42  billion)  or  China  (EUR 38  billion)6.  Under  the  umbrella  of  the  Africa-Europe 

4 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the 
European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, The European Green Deal, 
11 December 2019, COM(2019)640 final. 
5 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council and the Council on a 
new Africa-Europe Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobs: Taking our partnership for investment and 
jobs to the next level, 12 September 2018, COM(2018)643 final. 
6 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, World Investment Report 2018, 2016 figures.  

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Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobs, EU instruments, such as the External Lending 
Mandate,  the  African,  Caribbean  and  Pacific  Investment  Facility  and,  more  recently,  the 
European External Investment Plan, have unlocked considerable investments in Africa.  

These  include  investments  in  transport,  clean  energy  and  agricultural  sectors and in  private 
sector  development.  Africa  and  the  EU  need  to  continue  working  together  to  further 
accelerate such sustainable investments. 

In  accordance  with  the  Commission’s  proposal  for  a  Neighbourhood,  Development  and 
International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI)7,  the EU should be able to make  full use of 
various  EU  financial  instruments,  such  as  budgetary  guarantees  and  blending  under  the 
European Fund for Sustainable Development, which should be rolled-out as of 2021. Under 
the proposed NDICI, the External  Action Guarantee could  provide up to  EUR 60 billion in 
guarantee  operations  to  stimulate  sustainable  investments  over  the  period  2021-2027, 
focusing primarily on Africa.  

These  operations  should  be  deployed  in  coordinated  action  with  European  development 
finance institutions. Together, these institutions have the biggest presence and focus on Sub-
Saharan Africa with a combined portfolio accounting for a third of all development finance 
institution activity and representing three quarters of the most risk absorbing capital. A more 
joined-up  approach  between  EU  financial  instruments  and  European  development  finance 
institutions  will  increase  the  mobilisation  of  private  investors  and  domestic  resources, 
accelerate  the  shift  towards  more  responsible  and  climate  neutral  investments, and spur the 
development of the private sector in Africa. 

b. 

Regional and continental economic integration 

Moving  economic  integration  forward  at  regional  and 
continental levels is an essential component of a coherent, 
sustainable economic strategy.  

the  African  Continental  Free  Trade 
We  welcome 
Agreement  in  force  since  May  2019  -  which  creates 
significant momentum for continental integration - and the 
ultimate  ambition  of  a  continental  single  market.  It  will 
increase  intra-African  trade,  including  with  countries  in 
North  Africa,  diversify  exports,  and  improve  product 
quality and safety.  

Building reliable and sustainable continental energy, transport and digital systems for people, 
businesses and industries will support the development of value chains that can contribute to 
an  African  Continental  Free  Trade  Area.  The  EU  and  the  African  Union  have  a  common 
interest  in  a  stable,  rules-based  multilateral  trading  system  centred  on  the  World  Trade 
Organisation (WTO).  

7 Commission proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the 
Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument, 14 June 2018, COM(2018)460 final. 

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Proposed  Action  3  –  Partner  with  Africa  to  substantially  increase  environmentally, 
socially  and  financially  sustainable  investments  that  are  resilient  to  the  impacts  of 
climate change; to promote investment opportunities by scaling up the use of innovative 
financing  mechanisms8;  and  to  boost  regional  and  continental  economic  integration, 
particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.9 

The  latter  will  be  done  by  making  political,  technical  and  financial  support  for  the  African 
Continental  Free  Trade  Agreement  (for  which  EU  support  already  grew  from  EUR  12.5 
million in 2014-2017 to EUR 60 million in 2018-2020) a top priority. We are ready to share 
our customs union and single market experience. Cooperation on the strategic corridors that 
facilitate  intra-African  and  Africa-Europe  trade  and  investment,  and  improve  sustainable, 
efficient, and safe connectivity between both continents, will also be enhanced by the long-
term  prospect  of  creating  a  comprehensive  continent-to-continent  free-trade  area.  EU 
business  associations  can  play  an  important  role  in  the  Business  Forum  organised  in  the 
margins of the upcoming AU-EU Summit. Cooperation and dialogue, business partnerships 
along  critical  value  chains,  as  well  as  the  deepening  of  Economic  Partnership  Agreements, 
and  other  EU  trade  agreements  with  African  partner  countries,  are  the  tools  through  which 
this can be achieved. 

**The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco on the amendment of Protocols 1 and  4 to 
the  Euro-Mediterranean  Association  Agreement,  which  entered  into  force  on  19  July  2019,  provides  for  the  extension  of  tariff  preferences  to  products 
originating in the non-self-governing territory of Western Sahara. 

8 This proposed action is in line with Sustainable Development Goals 1 (no poverty), 2 (zero hunger), 7 
(affordable and clean energy), 8 (decent work and economic growth), and 9 (industry, innovation and 
infrastructure). 
9 This proposed action is in line with Sustainable Development Goal 8 (decent work and economic growth). 

8 

 
 
                                                           
c. 

Business environment and investment climate 

Boosting private sector investment is crucial to speeding up sustainable economic growth and 
the creation of decent jobs. Increasing investor confidence in Africa will crucially depend on 
improved  security,  effective,  transparent  and  stable  regulatory  frameworks,  combined  with 
investment  facilitation  and  protection,  macro-economic  stability,  robust  financial  systems, 
access to credit, innovation and necessary data to underpin the green transition.  

Policy  reform  is  also  essential  in  key  areas  such  as:  governance;  rule  of  law;  the  judicial 
system;  public  financial  management,  (including  quality  and  effectiveness  of  public 
expenditure); debt management; transparent public procurement; competition; standards and 
trade  facilitation;  investment  frameworks  and  green  growth  taxation.  This  also  includes  the 
fight  against  corruption,  fraud,  illicit  financial  flows,  money  laundering  and  terrorism 
financing.  

Proposed  Action  4  –  Partner  with  Africa  to  attract  investors  by  supporting  African 
states  in  adopting  policies  and  regulatory  reforms  that  improve  the  business 
environment and investment climate, including a level-playing field for business.10 

With  this  in  mind,  it  is  proposed  that  the  EU  develops  more  ambitious  arrangements  to 
facilitate, attract and support investment in Africa. The EU should further develop the use of 
platforms such as the Sustainable Business for Africa Platform and the International Platform 
on  Sustainable  Finance.  In  parallel,  it  is  important  to  promote  regulatory  reforms  and  to 
strengthen  the  institutional  capacity  of  public  authorities,  business  organisations  and 
entrepreneurs,  including  social  entrepreneurs,  while  reinforcing  capacity-building  related  to 
SME access to markets and finance. In this respect, European business organisations should 
continue to support entrepreneurship in Africa.  

The EU should also  encourage regulatory dialogue with public administrations to exchange 
good  practices.  Budget  support  dialogues  should  continue  to  be  a  key  instrument  in 
promoting reforms.  Finally, trade agreements and investment provisions to attract, facilitate 
and support sustainable investment will also contribute to improving the business climate. 

d. 

Education, skills, research, innovation,  health and social rights 

Investing in people, in particular in  youth, is of  paramount importance for building an even 
stronger partnership between our two continents. Within the next 15 years, some 375 million 
young people are expected to reach working age in Africa.  

Currently  less  than  10%  of  African  18-24  year  olds  are  enrolled  in  some  form  of  post-
secondary education or training. Providing  young people with education, training and skills 
and  preparing  them  for  the  new  opportunities  of  the  future  labour  market  is  a  common 
strategic priority.  In order for young women and men to fully reap economic opportunities, 
they  will  need  greater  access  to  inclusive  and  equitable  quality  education,  including  higher 
education, learning and training opportunities. This requires that special attention be paid to 
girls  and  women.  Supporting  women’s  empowerment  requires  tackling  discriminatory 
regulations  and  practices  and  making  sure  that  they  have  access  to  knowledge,  skills, 
microcredit and finance for entrepreneurship.  

10 This proposed action is in line with Sustainable Development Goals 1 (no poverty), 9 (industry, innovation 
and infrastructure) and16 (peace, justice and strong institutions). 

9 

 
                                                           
To increase graduates’ employability and their sense of entrepreneurship,  education systems 
need to better align skills and learning outcomes to labour market demand and new emerging 
sectors,  in  particular  in  the  digital  sector  and  green  and  climate-friendly  technologies. 
Incentivising  collaboration  between  academia,  research  and  local  business  and  supporting 
innovative  learning  approaches  will  also  be  fundamental.  Stepping  up  cooperation  in  the 
cultural sector also holds great potential for job creation and closer people-to-people contacts. 

Decent  work  opportunities  will  be  key  to  providing  prospects  to  rapidly  growing  African 
youth.  This  goes  hand  in  hand  with  a  healthy  workforce,  environment  and  decent  working 
conditions.  In  particular,  this  requires  health  and  safety  at  work,  inclusive  social  protection 
systems,  universal  health  coverage,  access  to  quality  health  services,  including  family 
planning, and fighting against inequality and, discrimination, child labour (especially in the 
agricultural sector) and forced labour. It also requires transitioning from the informal into the 
formal economy.  In this  respect,  effective  social dialogue with  public authorities, workers’ 
and employers’ organisations will improve both the social and business climate. 

The  EU  and  Africa  also  have  a  common  interest  in  promoting  investments  in  basic  health 
care,  clean  water,  housing  and  in  developing  infrastructure  and  capacity  to  cope  with 
outbreaks of diseases. 

Proposed Action 5 –– Partner with Africa to rapidly enhance learning, knowledge and 
skills, research and innovation capacities, particularly for women and youth, protecting 
and improving social rights, and eradicating child labour.11 

It  is  proposed  that  the  EU  scales  up  EU-Africa  academic  and  scientific  cooperation, 
including  on  technical  and  vocational  education  and  training,  and  enhancing  skills 
development (also in association with EU businesses) with a view to creating a knowledge 
society  and  economy.  The  EU  should  facilitate  the  mobility  of  students,  teachers,  trainers, 
and researchers. The EU should also support capacity building within Africa; quality training 
for  teachers;  the  development  of  research  and  innovation  capacities;  harnessing  the 
interaction  between  education,  science,  technology  and  innovation  for  improved  learning. 
Besides, the EU should seek to engage in labour dialogues with African countries to protect 
social  rights,  and,  in  particular,  to  eradicate  child  labour.  The  EU  proposes  to  upgrade  its 
support to the strengthening of health systems. 

IV. 

Partners for peace, security, governance and resilience 

Ensuring long-lasting peace  and security in Africa is as much in Africa’s interest as it is in 
the EU’s. Peace and security are key conditions for sustainable development. 

While  the  objective  is  to  achieve  peace  and  security  throughout  Africa,  efforts  should  be 
made  in  priority  in  regions  where  tensions  are  the  highest.  African  states,  supported  by 
regional  and  continental  organisations,  bear  the  main  responsibility  to  act,  as  they  are  the 
foremost  guarantors  of  their  own  security.  But  the  EU  is  willing  to  markedly  step  up  its 
support  to  Africa  in  cooperation  with  the  international  community.  Resilience  should  in 
particular be at the heart of African and EU efforts to address protracted conflict and fragility. 

11 This proposed action is in line with Sustainable Development Goals 1 (no poverty), 3 (good health and 
wellbeing), 4 (quality education), 5 (gender equality), 8 (decent work and economic growth) and 10 (Reduced 
inequalities).  

10 

 
                                                           
Instability in Africa is no longer defined by inter-state conflict but by restricted state control 
over  territories  and  maritime  domains,  social  cohesion,  home-grown  extremism,  inter-
community  conflicts,  proliferation  of  armed  groups,  terrorism  and  transnational  crime, 
including  cybercrime.  Climate  change,  increased  competition  for  natural  resources, 
environmental challenges, lack of basic social  services, pandemics, and other health threats 
are additional sources of instability. 

Governments face the challenge of delivering on the political and economic expectations of a 
growing  youth  population  including  on  human  rights  whose  neglect  are  exacerbating  latent 
community tensions.  

a.  Peace and security 

While  many  good  results  have  been  achieved  through  the  EU-Africa  partnership  on  peace 
and  security  –  notably  captured  in  the  EU-AU  Memorandum  of  Understanding  on  Peace, 
Security  and  Governance  –  the  complexity  of  the  efforts  and  the  deteriorating  situation  in 
certain  regions  require  us  to  markedly  step  up  our  engagement  together.  This  means  also 
working with international partners, notably the United Nations. The AU-led “Silencing the 
Guns” initiative is important in this context. 

EU  instruments  and  African  capacities  should  be  further  aligned.  There  is  a  clear  need  to 
review and further strengthen our cooperation in a more strategic and tailored way, based on 
mutual commitments, accountability and ownership. Despite progress on the AU Peace Fund, 
the  financing  of  African-led  peace  support  initiatives,  including  through  UN-assessed 
contributions,  remains  to  be  addressed.  The  EU  and  Africa  also  need  to  adapt  their  way  of 
working together in fragile areas in order to have an impact on governance at the local level. 

The EU’s current integrated approach mobilises the full range of its instruments including top 
political  diplomacy,  regular  consultations,  mediation  for  conflict  prevention  and  resolution, 
restrictive measures, and cooperation on counter-terrorism, the fight against organised crime 
including  trafficking  in  human  beings,  and  maritime  security.  Through  the  ‘African  Peace 
Facility’12, the EU supports African-led peace operations and the African Peace and Security 
Architecture  (APSA).  At  the  operational  level,  Common  Security  and  Defence  Policy 
(CSDP) missions  as well as other security  and defence deployments by  EU Member States 
make a tangible contribution to peace and security in the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, the Gulf 
of Guinea, the Lake Chad Basin and the Central African Republic. 

Proposed  Action  6  –  Partner  with  Africa  to  adapt  and  deepen  the  EU’s  support  to 
African  peace  efforts  through  a  more  structured  and  strategic  cooperation,  with  a 
particular focus on regions where tensions and vulnerabilities are the highest.13 

In order to achieve our objectives, summits and high-level diplomacy will notably focus on 
developing strategies and concrete steps to help solve crises in, for example, Libya, the Sahel, 
the Great Lakes region, or the Horn of Africa. The EU proposes to support the efforts of its 
African  partners  to  address  the  full  spectrum  of  challenges  and  increase  their  overall 
resilience. The EU also proposes to support African capacity in defence and security, using 
the  proposed  European  Peace  Facility,  its  CSDP  missions  and  security  and  defence-related 
tools  to  better  address  the  challenges  faced  by  African  security  and  defence  actors  on  the 

12 For which the EU has committed EUR 3.5 billion since 2004. 
13 This proposed action is in line with Sustainable Development Goal 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions). 

11 

 
                                                           
ground.  The  EU  proposes  to  strengthen  its  ongoing  efforts  in  ensuring  compliance  with 
human  rights,  protection  of  civilians  and  international  humanitarian  law.  Actions  will  be 
carried out in close cooperation with EU Member States, the African Union, African regional 
organisations,  the  UN  and  other  key  partners  –  including  through  trilateral  AU-EU-UN 
cooperation. Special attention will also be paid to the implementation of the Women, Peace 
and Security Agenda and of the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda.  

The  EU  should  adapt  and  deepen  its  support  to  African  peace  efforts  with  a  focus  on  an 
integrated approach to conflict and crises, acting at all stages of the conflict cycle, investing 
in  prevention  fight  against  radicalisation,  resolution  and  stabilisation  and  better  linking 
humanitarian, development, peace and security efforts.  

b.  Governance, democracy, human rights and the rule of law 

Security and development can only be sustainable in the long term when rooted in full 
respect of human rights without discrimination on any ground14, democratic principles, 
gender  equality  and  the  rule  of  law.  Recognising  that  all  human  rights  are  universal, 
indivisible and interdependent and interrelated, the EU, and African countries are committed 
to promoting and protecting all human rights and fundamental freedoms globally.  

Good  governance,  effective  and  inclusive  economic,  social,  education  and  health  policies, 
equal access to basic social services, equal access to and fair redistribution of resources, equal 
access  to  justice  and  open  and  inclusive  societies  foster  peace  and  stability  and  act  as  a 
foundation  for  jobs  and  growth,  attracting  investment.    The  safeguard  and  protection  of 
children’s rights merits particular attention. 

Proposed  Action  7  –  Partner  with  Africa  on  integrating  good  governance,  democracy, 
human rights, the rule of law and gender equality in action and cooperation.15 

Respect  for  universal  human  rights  –  be  they  political,  civil,  economic,  social  or  cultural  - 
will  remain  a  key  trait  of  our  partnership  with  all  relevant  actors  and  supporting  major 

14  Including  on  grounds  or  sex,  race,  ethnic  or  social  origin,  religion  or  belief,  political  or  any  other  opinion, 
disability, age, sexual orientation and gender identity. 
15 This proposed action is in line with Sustainable Development Goals 10 (inequalities), 15 (gender equality) 
and 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions).  

12 

 
 
                                                           
initiatives  such  as  the  African  Governance  Architecture.  A  more  strategic  and  structured 
approach  to  human  rights  political  dialogues  with  African  countries  will  be  adopted,  in 
complementarity with regular consultations with African regional organisations and the well-
established AU-EU Human Rights Dialogue.  

The  EU  seeks  to  continue  supporting  credible,  inclusive  and  transparent  electoral  and 
democratic processes, including through increased coordination between the AU and EU on 
electoral  observations  and  their  follow-up.  The  EU  also  intends  to  step  up  cooperation  on 
democratic  governance  and  rule  of  law  on  both  continents,  including  accountability  and 
transparency  of  public  institutions;  independent  and  impartial  justice,  corruption  and 
transnational crimes as well as trafficking in human beings. 

The EU should support concrete initiatives to reinforce civil society organisations and human 
rights  defenders;  to  end  impunity,  ensure  redress  for  victims,  and  foster  reconciliation. 
Initiatives will be undertaken for and with women and youth (including children), supporting 
their  economic  empowerment,  ensuring  their  active  involvement  in  decision-making 
processes of civic and political life,  promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights, and 
preventing and eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls, including conflict-
related sexual and gender-based violence.  

c. 

Resilience  

Resilience,  peace,  security  and  governance  are  intimately  linked.  Therefore  EU  should 
partner with African stakeholders to enhance resilience, taking into account full spectrum of 
challenges  deriving  from  root  causes  of  conflicts  to  impact  of  crises.  It  will  be  done  by  
deepening EU support to African peace efforts via integrated approach acting at all stages of 
the  cycle  of  conflicts  and  crises  as  they  unfold.  This  entails  prevention,  resolution  and 
stabilisation efforts by well targeted humanitarian, development, peace and security actions in 
accordance to their added value and respective mandates. 

Proposed Action 8 – secure resilience by linking humanitarian, development, peace and 
security interventions at all stages of the cycle of conflicts and crises. 

V. 

Partners on migration and mobility  

Demographic  trends,  the  aspiration  for  economic  opportunity  and  political  stability,  flight 
from  crises  and conflicts, and  adaptation  to climate change  and  environmental  degradation, 
all  mean  that  the  levels  of  migration  and forced  displacement  will  continue  to  pose  both 
challenges and opportunities for our two continents. 

Well-managed  migration  and  mobility  can  have  a  positive  impact  on  countries  of  origin, 
transit and destination alike. African migration and mobility  flows are largely intra-African 
and regimes for free movement are being put in place at both regional and continental level. 
Some  African  Union  Member  States  host  a  substantial  number  of  migrants,  refugees  and 
forcibly displaced persons and thus face significant challenges and opportunities. Migration 
also represent challenges and opportunities for EU Member States. 

13 

 
 
Since  2015,  the  EU  and  African  countries  have  developed  a  joint  approach  to  managing 
migration and mobility.16 This approach has led to a reduction in irregular arrivals in Europe, 
improved  cooperation  on  the  fight  against  migrant  smuggling,  and  in  developing  more 
sustainable approaches for refugees in hosting countries in Africa.  

Yet  significant  challenges  remain.  Sub-Saharan  Africa  hosts  more  than  a  quarter  of  the 
world’s  refugee  population.  Dangerous  journeys  and  attempts  to  cross  the  Mediterranean 
continue to cause loss of life and to fuel criminal business. To address such challenges Africa 
and  the  EU  need  a  balanced,  coherent  and  comprehensive  approach  to  migration  and 
mobility,  guided  by  the  principles  of  solidarity,  partnership  and  shared  responsibility 
and based on the respect for human rights and international law. The joint goal for EU and 
African partners should be sustainable and effective migration management. 

Across  all  activities,  the  EU  will  continue  to  pay  particular  attention  to  respecting  its  core 
values and in  particular to  taking into account  the particular needs  of persons  in  vulnerable 
situations, including women, children, unaccompanied minors and persons with disabilities.  

The  protection  of  those  in  need,  such  as  refugees,  internally  displaced  persons  and  other 
vulnerable displaced persons should remain a common priority. The EU remains committed 
to helping African partners address refugee crises and find durable solutions for refugees in 
hosting  countries.  The  EU  should  equally  continue  efforts  to  resettle  persons  in  need  of 
international protection to Europe. 

Strengthened engagement to prevent irregular migration and putting an end to the loss of life 
at sea is needed. This includes stepping up the fight against the smuggling of migrants, with 
an emphasis on addressing the role of criminal networks and should go hand in hand with the 
fight  against  trafficking  in  human  beings.  Capacity  building  for  effective  migration 
management,  including  effective  border  management  is  particularly  important,  and  the  EU 
should  continue  to  support  African  partners  in  this  area.  Further  action  is  also  needed  to 
tackle the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement building on the varied 
support provided through the EU Trust Fund for Africa. 

Cooperation  on  return  and  readmission,  and  effective  return  rates  should  be  improved.  The 
EU  and  Africa  should  work  towards  more  efficient  and  sustainable  mechanisms,  including 
through  support  for  voluntary  returns,  and  through  the  effective  implementation  and 
conclusion  of  readmission  arrangements.  Returns  should  be  accompanied  by  sustainable 
reintegration in the countries of origin. 

In  parallel,  stepped  up  cooperation  on  legal  migration  can  provide  significant  two-way 
benefits,  providing  employment opportunities that  match the needs of the labour market  on 
both  continents.  Projects  on  legal  and  circular  migration  and  labour  mobility  with  African 
countries  and  efforts  to  improve  the  development  benefits  of  migration,  including  through 
facilitation  of  remittances,  could  significantly  contribute  to  regular  and  safe  migration  and 
mobility. 

16 This includes the joint Valletta action plan, the Khartoum and Rabat processes, the EU partnership framework 
on migration for bilateral relations with partner countries, the joint AU-EU-UN Trilateral Task Force on 
Migration, or the commitment to develop a joint framework on continent-to-continent migration and mobility 
dialogue. 

14 

 
                                                           
Proposed  Action  9  –  Partner  with  Africa  to  ensure  a  balanced,  coherent  and 
comprehensive approach to migration and mobility .17 

This will be done by embedding migration and mobility in a balanced manner in our overall 
partnership at all levels. We will pursue a ‘whole-of-route’ approach, working with countries 
of origin, transit and destination. A strong focus on improving migration governance, partner 
countries' ability to better manage their borders, strengthening capacities and evidence-based 
cooperation will also be applied.  

At continental level, the EU proposes to put in place a joint framework for the Continent-to-
Continent  Migration  and  Mobility  Dialogue  and  continue  to  enhance  the  AU-EU-UN 
trilateral cooperation, building on the successful experience of the Task Force on Migration. 
At regional level, the EU proposes to advance the implementation of the Joint Valletta Action 
Plan and the Khartoum and Rabat processes together with the AU, the UN, the EU Member 
States and regional organisations.  

At bilateral level, the EU should develop tailor-made dialogues and partnerships as part of its 
overall  relationships  with  African  countries.  It  is  important  to  ensure  the  complementarity 
and the added value of the existing and future cooperation frameworks. 

VI.  Conclusion: working together to implement the partnership 

In  order  to  achieve  the  ambitions  outlined  above  and  effectively  implement  the  new 
partnership, the EU and Africa have to find ways to work more closely together.  

a.  At global level: strengthen rules-based multilateralism 

The African Union and the EU are committed to the international rules-based order and the 
multilateral  system,  with  the  United  Nations  at  its  core.18  We  share  the  conviction  that  no 
global  challenges  can  be  solved  by  any  single  country  or  group  of  countries.  Global 
cooperation and  regional integration offer the best  guarantees for international stability and 
economic  growth.  We  therefore  have  a  shared  interest  to  cooperate  on  multilateralism  and 
common  agendas  (e.g.  climate  action,  digitalisation  governance  etc.)  that  can  be  addressed 
effectively  only  together.  Together,  Africa  and  Europe  form  the  largest  voting  bloc  in  the 
UN. By pooling forces, we have brought about key international agreements such as the 2030 
Agenda  for  Sustainable  Development  and  its  Sustainable  Development  Goals  and  the  Paris 
Agreement  on  Climate  Change,  and  are  committed  to  their  implementation.  This  approach 
should  be  pursued  also  in  the  various  specialised  UN  agencies.  Africa  and  the  EU  should 
seize every opportunity to continue to act together effectively in all strategic areas of mutual 
interest across the three pillars of the UN and ensure cooperation and alignment of positions 
whenever relevant. We should also partner and seek alignment in all other multilateral fora, 
such as the G20 and the World Trade Organisation (WTO). 

Collective  action  and  outreach  in  support  of  the  international  rules-based  order  and  the 
multilateral  system  is  required  by  all  EU  and  African  Union  members.  In  an  increasingly 
competitive  world  where  ideas  circulate  freely  and  values  come  under  threat,  particular 
attention  will  be  paid  to  public  diplomacy  in  support  of  multilateralism  across  both 

17 This proposed action is in line with Sustainable Development Goals 1 (no poverty) and 10 (inequalities). 
18 As reflected in the Treaty of the EU, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the Global Strategy for the EU’s 
Foreign and Security Policy and the European Consensus on Development. 

15 

 
                                                           
continents,  and  around  the  world,  by  reaching  out  to  young  people,  academics  and  other 
stakeholders who collectively shape the future world order. 

Proposed  Action  10  –  Partner  with  Africa  to  strengthen  the  international  rules-based 
order and the multilateral system, with the UN at its core.19 

Regular  political  dialogues  with  African  counterparts  on  cooperation  in  the  multilateral 
system at bilateral level  and within the UN, should address issues ranging from new global 
challenges to cooperation on UN Security Council-related matters. The EU should endeavour 
to  establish  a  more  structured  trilateral  AU-EU-UN  cooperation  across  areas  of  mutual 
interest.  It should also support necessary reforms and modernisation of existing multilateral 
institutions to ensure that they are fit for purpose. With a view to supporting efforts to give a 
stronger voice to Africa in the UN, international financial institutions and other multilateral 
organisations,  the  EU  supports  the  AU’s  application  for  enhanced  observer  status  in  the 
WTO.  

b.  At bilateral level: intensifying cooperation with Africa 

The AU-EU Heads of State and Government summits and ministerial meetings will provide 
political steering to EU cooperation with Africa. Coherence should be ensured between this 
strategy  and  the  legally  binding  agreements  between  the  EU  and  African  countries,  both 
through  the  protocol  covering  Sub-Saharan  African  countries  under  the  new  partnership 
agreement between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States as well as 
through  the  association  agreements  between  the  EU  and  North  African  countries.  Such 
coherence  will  be  ensured  by  building  on  the  existing  governance  structures,  such  as  the 
summits,  ministerial  meetings,  Commission-to-Commission  and  the  Political/Peace  and 
Security Committees.  It  should also open dialogues with  key  actors, such as  young people, 
women,  business  leaders,  civil  society  organisations,  academia  and  think  tanks.20  The  EU 
should  be  ready  to  support  the  institutional  reform  process  initiated  by  the  AU.  The  EU 
should also continue to work with the diasporas to enhance the different ways in which they 
can contribute. 

Beyond formal dialogues, the EU and Africa should seek ways to intensify people-to-people 
contacts  through  exchange  programmes,  joint  research  activities  or  twinning  initiatives 
between academic and cultural institutions, private sector, businesses, agencies and utilities, 
parliaments, local authorities or cities and regions. The EU proposes to work with its African 
partners to address fragility, enhance resilience and use the tools at its disposal in a coherent 
way.  Facilities should support political and policy dialogue through the rapid mobilisation of 
specific  expertise  and  the  creation  of  knowledge  platforms  accessible  to  the  various 
stakeholders. The successful experience of the Sectoral Task Forces set up under the Africa-
Europe  Alliance  for  sustainable  investment  and  jobs  should  be  continued  and  possibly 
replicated. Exchanges of best practices and expertise should be promoted.  

19 This proposed action is in line with Sustainable Development Goal 17 (partnership). 
20 The sectoral policy dialogues under the Africa-Europe Alliance (on Digital Economy, Transport, Rural / 
Agriculture and Sustainable Energy Investments) offer a model that needs to be deepened and expanded. For 
example on Green Transition. 

16 

 
                                                           
c.  On the EU side: acting in unison and mobilising the means 

The EU remains Africa’s biggest partner in terms of investment, trade and development. To 
ensure that the EU’s substantial engagement with Africa delivers the expected results, the EU 
should  increase  strategic  and  operational  coordination  and  joint  action  at  headquarters 
and partner country level with EU Member States and other actors, such as the private 
sector, development finance institutions, banks, development implementing agencies, export 
credit  agencies,  local  authorities,  civil  society  organisations  or  cultural,  educational  and 
research institutions. Better leveraging and coordination of the considerable participation and 
work by the EU and its Member States in International Financial Institutions is key. Ongoing 
efforts,  such  as  the  ‘Working  Better  Together’  approach  via  joint  programming  and  joint 
implementation,  are  already  supporting  a  coherent  and  coordinated  European  strategic 
approach at country level. 

The  strategic  importance  of  the  EU-Africa  partnership  must  also  be  matched  by  the 
resources mobilised to support it. The Commission proposed that the new Neighbourhood, 
Development  and  International  Cooperation  Instrument  as  of  2021  includes  over  60%  of 
funds available to it to Sub-Saharan Africa and the EU’s neighbourhood countries.  

Corresponding  to  the  ‘policy  first’  principle,  the  EU  should  deploy  its  instruments  in  full 
alignment  with  EU  external  policy  objectives,  standards  and  rules,  and  in  coherence 
with internal policies. 

In line with the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, the EU should step up its engagement with EU 
Member  States  and  institutions,  including  European  development  finance  institutions,  to 
mobilise private finance. To attract international investors, the EU should continue leading 
innovative efforts to set up a financial system that supports sustainable growth. In doing so, 
the EU will build on initiatives such as the  External Investment Plan, the Africa-Europe 
Alliance  for  Sustainable  Investment  and  Jobs  and  the  International  Platform  on 
Sustainable Finance.  

The success of the Africa-EU partnership will be measured by the concrete outcomes of the 
actions  developed  in  this  document  and  by  the  tangible  results  the  partnership  will  have 
achieved for citizens on both continents. 

17 

 
To sum up, it is proposed that the EU partners with Africa on the following 10 actions: 

1.  maximise the benefits of the green transition and minimise threats to the environment 

in full compliance with the Paris Agreement; 

2.  boost the continent’s digital transformation; 

3.  substantially 

increase  environmentally, 

sustainable 
investments  that  are  resilient  to  the  impacts  of  climate  change;  promote  investment 
opportunities  by  scaling  up  the  use  of  innovative  financing  mechanisms;  and  boost 
regional  and  continental  economic  integration,  particularly  through  the  African 
Continental Free Trade Agreement; 

socially  and 

financially 

4.  attract  investors  by  supporting  African  states  in  adopting  policies  and  regulatory 
reforms  that  improve  the  business  environment  and  investment  climate,  including  a 
level-playing field for business;  

5.  rapidly  enhance  learning,  knowledge  and  skills,  research  and  innovation  capacities, 
particularly  for  women  and  youth,  protecting  and  improving  social  rights,  and 
eradicating child labour; 

6.  adapt and deepen EU support to African peace efforts through a more structured and 
strategic form of cooperation, with a particular focus on regions where vulnerabilities 
are the highest; 

7.  integrating  good governance, democracy, human rights, the rule of law and gender 

equality in action and cooperation; 

8.  secure  resilience  by 

linking  humanitarian,  development,  peace  and  security 

interventions at all stages of the cycle of conflicts and crises; 

9.  ensure  balanced,  coherent  and  comprehensive  partnerships  on  migration  and 

mobility; 

10. strengthen  the  international  rules-based  order  and  the  multilateral  system,  with  the 

United Nations at its core. 

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