This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.
Today at the opening of the Global Gateway Forum, President von der Leyen laid down her vision for strengthened partnerships in a radically changing global economy. With Global Gateway as the EU’s external investment strategy, the EU has the power to lead this change. This determination is already delivering results and is outpacing its initial objectives. At the forum, the President announced that Team Europe – EU, Member States, and Development financing institutions – has mobilised over €306 billion in just four years, already meeting the target set in 2021. This was achieved two years ahead of the initial 2027 target.
European Commission President von der Leyen said: “With Global Gateway, Europe’s investment strategy, we set an ambitious target of €300 billion by 2027. Along the way, it became clear that the world needs not just investments, but partnerships. Genuine partnerships based on respect, shared interests and long-term commitment. This is the essence and the success of Global Gateway. And today I am confident we will surpass €400 billion by 2027.”
The 2025 Global Gateway Forum, attended by 12 Heads of State and Government and over 70 Ministers from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, provides a unique platform to turn ideas into investment partnerships, and bring projects closer to their achievement.
In the current competitive and transactional environment, all countries face the same challenges: securing access to capital, resources and technology, reducing dangerous dependencies, and strengthening strategic autonomy. Against this background, the EU and partners countries must invest in diversification and reliable partnerships.
Today and throughout the Forum, President von der Leyen, together with High Representative Vice-President Kallas, Executive Vice-President Ribera, Commissioner Síkela, Commissioner Šuica and Commissioner Kos will echo a clear message: Team Europe is a reliable and transparent partner for strong partnerships based on values and shared interests, and this joint work delivers good results.
Global Gateway is delivering results across continents
Global Gateway is Europe’s offer to partner countries, delivering both on national, regional and global challenges, but also on the EU’s strategic interests. For instance, the EU has mobilised over €2 billion to upgrade transport infrastructure along the Solidarity Lanes between Ukraine, Moldova, and Member States, helping Ukraine export goods such as grain to international markets. Further, the Lobito Corridor in Central Africa will link Angola’s Atlantic coast with Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. By reducing transport times from 45 days to just one week, the project will improve regional integration, lower emissions, and unlock opportunities for local industries and communities.
Similar partnerships are being advanced worldwide, ranging from the digital transition in Colombia and regional electricity integration in Guatemala, to digital connectivity in the Middle East via the MEDUSA Submarine Optical Fibre Cable, water security via the the Aqaba-Amman Water Desalination, cultural heritage protection in Iraq, and clean energy projects in South Africa, Togo and Mauritania. They also include strategic port modernisation in Cabo Verde, as well as the development of new food and health value chains in Africa and the Caribbean.
Further progress with Global Gateway partners
At the Global Gateway Forum, tangible progress will be made with partners from Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, EU’s Neighbourhood and the MENA region to advance Global Gateway on several fronts and across continents. Leaders from countries such as the Angola, Armenia, Cabo Verde, Colombia, Grenada, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Mauritania, Rwanda, South Africa, will come together with key stakeholders from the private sector, civil society, thought leaders, financial institutions, and international organisations. Together, they will work to deepen cooperation and mobilise global investment in both hard and soft infrastructure, laying the groundwork for sustainable growth and resilience.
Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela added: “The success of Global Gateway shows a growing demand for partnership with Europe, that is based on reliability, transparency, and mutual benefit. This is a great opportunity for Europe and at this year’s Global Gateway Forum, together with our partners, we are turning that demand into action, identifying new opportunities, expanding our cooperation, and proving that when Europe and its partners work together, we deliver real impact for both sides.”
Mobilising private capital
Over 150 top European companies are present at the Forum, alongside governments, development banks and export credit agencies. President von der Leyen stressed that public funds alone cannot meet the world’s investment needs and highlighted Global Gateway’s role in mobilising private capital. For this reason, the new Global Gateway Investment Hub will provide an entry point for companies looking for EU investment support through the Global Gateway in countries. Grants, concessional loans and guarantees are used to share risk and make projects viable for business.
Scale-up sessions to drive new investments
On the second day of the Forum, a series of Scale-up Sessions on Global Gateway flagship projects will take place, gathering governments, financial institutions, and private sector leaders. These sessions will focus on concrete investment commitments across key sectors, including:
- ASEAN Power Grid
- Scaling up hydropower potential in Central Asia
- Lobito Corridor
- EU Sustainable Cocoa Initiative
- IMEC Digital Connectivity: Blue Raman
- MAV+: Investing in Africa’s health sovereignty through Strategic Partnerships
- Regional electricity integration in Latin America and the Caribbean
- High Performance Computing: Establishing an EU-LAC Supercomputing Network for AI
- Global Gateway Green Shipping Corridors
- Medusa Submarine Cable System
- Expanding connectivity between the EU, Türkiye and the Eastern Partnership towards Central Asia
- Powering renewable energy in Africa, in line with the objectives of the campaign launched by President von der Leyen and President Ramaphosa of South Africa.
A cooperation agreement between the European Commission and the World Bank Group will also be signed at the Global Gateway Forum.
Global Gateway
Global Gateway is the EU’s external investment strategy to build smart, clean, and secure connections in the digital, energy, and transport sectors, as well as strengthen health, education and research systems globally. It fits the current geopolitical context by nurturing equal partnerships that increase strategic autonomy and resilience of Europe and partner countries alike. It is an attractive offer thanks to its sustainable investments. It is the EU’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals beyond its borders.
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