African, European Business Leaders Push For Stronger Investment Ties, Call For Predictable Policies Under Global Gateway
At a moment when global economic uncertainty is reshaping trade priorities, African and European business leaders are renewing their push for deeper collaboration, warning that sustainable growth on both continents depends on predictable policies, shared investment, and stronger value-chain integration.
This message formed the agenda of the Joint Business Declaration released at the AU-EU Business Forum 2025 (AEBF2025) in Luanda, Angola.
The declaration comes ahead of the 7th AU-EU Heads of State Summit, marking 25 years of the AU-EU partnership and coinciding with Angola’s 50th independence anniversary.
The declaration co-chaired by Dr Amany Asfour, President of the Africa Business Council, and Benoît Chervalier, President of the Africa Committee of Business Europe, calls for “equal, win-win partnerships” that prioritise SMEs, women, youth, and industries that create jobs and add value locally.
Since 2021, Africa and Europe have jointly mobilised nearly €80 billion under the Africa-Europe Investment Package, targeting renewable energy, health, agribusiness, education, transport, and digital infrastructure, key sectors aligned with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and Africa’s Agenda 2063.
The declaration stresses that achieving real transformation requires practical tools, including:
Structured and inclusive platforms for African and European companies to co-design and co-implement major projects.
Simplified access to EU financial instruments, especially for SMEs, through a unified and transparent mechanism under the new Global Gateway Investment Hub.
Greater commitment to Africa’s industrialisation, especially local processing, value addition, and beneficiation of raw materials.
Improved business environments, better risk-mitigation tools, and expanded sustainable infrastructure.
Chervalier emphasised the need for flexible and pragmatic approaches that integrate businesses from both continents into regional and global value chains.
Both Africa and Europe, the declaration notes, must work jointly to ensure that investment creates local value, strengthens industries, and delivers decent employment.
The AEBF2025 brings together business leaders, investors, policymakers, and innovators from both regions, running alongside the AU-EU Summit from 24-25 November 2025.
For more information, the EABF Facility may be contacted at: info@eu-africabusinessforum.eu
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