EU Aid for trade 2022.
Date: 2023-01-06
Institutions: Directorate-General for International Partnerships
Subjects: EU Member State, aid policy, bilateral aid, climate change policy, developing countries, development aid, donor country, economic aid, international aid, international trade, regional aid, sustainable development, trade agreement (EU), trade policy, trade promotion

In 2021 the EU launched its new GLOBAL 
GATEWAY STRATEGY to ensure a green, digital, 
just and resilient recovery from the pandemic 
through sustainable infrastructure investments. 
EU Aid for Trade support is part of the Global 
Gateway strategy and greatly contribute to 
encourage increased investment in our partner 
countries by supporting the investment climate 
and trade-related projects

EU A ID FOR TRADE 2022
Implementing the European Union’s updated strategy
for prosperity through trade and investment

+60%

Increase in Aid for Trade from 
the EU and its Member States 
between 2011 and 2020

€ 14 to 23 billion
A coherent and targeted use of 
these funds can help developing 
countries reduce poverty and boost 
inclusive growth through trade

THE A ID FOR  TRA DE  CON CEPT
Any assistance which helps a developing country to improve its productive 
and economic capacity to expand and benefit from trade is ‘Aid for Trade’ 
(AfT), a broad concept that cuts across many areas and types of aid

Improving trade
infrastructure

Building capacity 
in export sectors

Aid for 
Trade

Implementing 
trade regulations
 & standards

Supporting industry 
and manufacturing 

International 

Partnerships

THE  TOP  SU PP LI ER OF A ID  FOR   T RA D E
The EU and its Member States are the world’s leading supplier of Aid for Trade

1/3 OF THE EU & ITS MEMBER STATES’ OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE IS AID FOR TRADE

Aid for Trade by donor

EU AfT by region

17%

EU & EU MS (27)

World Bank (IDA)

Japan

Asian Dev. Bank

United States

Others 17

3%

5%

16%

40%

19%

O F F I C I A L   D E V E L O P M E N T   A S S I S T A N C E   ( O D A )   
A L O N E   C A N N O T   F I L L   T H E  F U N D I N G   G A P

T R A D E   N E E D S   T O   B E 
M O R E   I N C L U S I V E
Trade has delivered for some countries, but 

not all, and within countries growth has not 

always been as inclusive as needed

Aid for Trade is designed to help developing 
countries meet the UN’s Sustainable 

Development Goals (SDGs)

C O V I D - 1 9

has reduced the 

resources available 

to developing 

countries to achieve 

the SDGs. 

A N N U A L   S D G   F U N D I N G   G A P

€ 2.2 TRILLION 
PER YEAR BEFORE COVID-19

€ 3.7 TRILLION NOW

The EU and its Member States are the world’s leading supplier of Aid for Trade

A   N E W   A P P R O A C H

The EU’s updated strategy is designed to deliver 

more relevant aid that makes use of all EU tools 

combining ODA with incentives for investment 

and duty-free market access oﬀered through 

Free Trade Agreements and Preferential Schemes

Trade Agreements

Aid for Trade

 EFSD+ blending and guarantees

  A I D   F O R   T R A D E   C A N   H E L P   B Y   F O S T E R I N G 
A   R A P I D   R E C O V E R Y   I N   T R A D E   V O L U M E S

DEVELOPING COUNTRIES THAT BENEFIT 

FROM FREE TRADE DEALS AND SCHEMES

62

EU FREE TRADE 
AGREEMENTS  
AS OF 2021

61

EU UNILATERAL
TRADE PREFERENTIAL 
SCHEME

ENGAGE BETTER WITH STAKEHOLDERS

Private Sector

Civil Society

Local Authorities

CONNECT AID AND INVESTMENTS
AfT helps to generate further private and
public-sector investment in developing countries

€ 10 BILLION

UNLOCKED BY EU BLENDING 
FACILITIES IN 2020

TAILOR SUPPORT 
With a focus on Least Developed Countries 
(LDCs) and fragile situations

25%

Increase proportion of 
EU AfT given to LDC’s by 
2030

LDC’s <1% of world 
exports and about 2% 
of EU imports

T O W A R D S   A   G R E E N E R   A N D   M O R E   I N C L U S I V E   W O R L D

Building low-carbon and 
climate-resilient economies 
is at the heart of EU Aid for 
Trade and the Green Deal

EU Gender policies ensure 
women’s economic 
empowerment is key in all EU 
external actions

EU initiatives to ensure 
responsible sourcing of 
minerals, fight illegal logging, 
and protect biodiversity

EU AID FOR TRADE IN ACTION

PRODUCTIVE 
CAPACITIES

DIVERSIFICATION

VALUE ADDITION

STANDARDS 
COMPLIANCE

TRADE 
FACILITATION

Aid for Trade

EFSD+ blending 
and guarantees

Trade Agreements

STORAGE

PROCESSING 
PLANT

UTILITIES

LABORATORIES

INFRASTRUCTURE

FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS

ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP 
AGREEMENTS

GENERAL SCHEME 
OF PREFERENCES

ASSOCIATION 
AGREEMENTS

TradeCOM (2017) 677 final and Council Conclusions 15573/17.

© European Union, 2023.

Sources:
European Commission.
OECD Creditor Reporting System data available in 2022, for 2021 reporting year.
All figures and percentages are for the EU + EU MS 27 combined.

Reproduction is authorised provided     
the source is acknowledged.
PDF     MN-AU-22-002-EN-N 
           ISSN 2599-9338   

ISBN 978-92-76-61550-7    
DoI 10.2841/789262

Find out more:
European Commission’s site on Aid for Trade

Follow the Directorare General for International 
Partnerships