Written question – Limited impact of Global Gateway on the African continent – E-001679/2025

Question for written answer  E-001679/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Benoit Cassart (Renew)

Launched in 2021, Global Gateway aims to mobilise up to EUR 300 billion in investments by 2027 to finance sustainable infrastructure, promote human development and strengthen global connectivity, in Africa in particular. The aim is to propose an alternative to the Chinese ‘new silk roads’ model, with a focus on democratic values, transparency and sustainability.

• 1.Can the Commission explain why this strategy is struggling to establish itself as a lever for EU influence in Africa, despite the geographical proximity and pitched ambitions?
• 2.Does this relative ineffectiveness show that the Commission needs to adopt a more economic and partnership-based model of cooperation, to keep pace with the profound changes taking place on the African continent and the international competition?
• 3.What action will it take to remedy the slow implementation of this strategy, its lack of visibility, its limited budget given the ambitions (few new funds) and the growing and skewed competition from powers such as China (fewer conditionalities) and Russia, at a time when the African continent is undergoing a major economic and geopolitical transformation?

Submitted: 25.4.2025