Inside the EU’s €19.5B development program for sub-Saharan Africa

The European Union has established a close cooperation with Africa — focusing on a wide range of political and economic objectives. Since 2000, the Africa-EU partnership has implemented various programs to achieve these goals. This includes the Pan-African program, African Peace Facility, European Union Emergency Trust Fund, Africa Investment Platform, and EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund. In December 2021, the EU announced its plan to spend €26.3 billion on development projects in partner countries through its multiannual indicative programs, or MIPs. MIPs set the EU’s objectives and priorities for development cooperation. They are financed under the Neighbourhood, Development, and International Cooperation Instrument-Global Europe, or NDICI-Global Europe — the institution’s main instrument for cooperation with partner countries. In May, Devex did an analysis of each of the strategy documents and came up with a slightly higher value: €26.5 billion. Of this, €19.5 billion, or almost 74%, is allocated to just one region — sub-Saharan Africa. The money is divided into programs for specific countries and more overarching regional programs. We look at the regional program first. We took a closer look into the data to see how the money will be spent. What’s inside the regional MIP? The EU’s seven-year (2021-2027) regional program for sub-Saharan Africa is worth €10.2 billion, or 52.5% of its total budget for the area. The regional MIP will focus on the eradication of poverty and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, or SDG. Among its priority areas are: • Human development — €400 million for health and €480 million for education and skills. • Governance, peace and security, and culture — €650 million for peace and security, €130 million for democratic governance, and €75 million for culture. • Green transition — €570 million for sustainable energy, €470 million for sustainable agri-food systems, €400 million for biodiversity and environment, €360 million for water and oceans, and €300 million for climate mitigation and resilience. • Digital and science, and technology and innovation — €940 million for digital transformation and €300 million for science, technology and innovation. • Sustainable growth and decent jobs — €1 billion for transport connectivity, €630 million for regional economic integration, trade, and trade facilitation, and €200 million for sustainable finance, investment climate, and private sector development. • Migration and forced displacement — €500 million each for migration and forced displacement, and €600 million for a flexible funding mechanism. It also includes €1.5 billion for the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus and €287 million for support measures, such as capacity building, institutional support, and technical assistance. EFSD+ was established by the EU to contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Geographic priorities The MIPs include 44 African countries, with a total allocation of €9.3 billion. The biggest allocation went to Nigeria, with €508 million. This includes €177.8 million for green and digital economy and €152.4 million each for human development and governance, peace, and migration. Another €25.4 million is allocated for support measures. Niger ranked next, with €503 million. This includes €198 million for growth and green economy, €192 million for governance, €99 million for education and vocational training, and €14 million for support measures. Mozambique also received a significant allocation, worth €428 million. This includes €163 million to support the youth through health and nutrition, education, and employment; €150 million for green development; €94 million for governance and peace; and €21 million for support measures. Sectoral focus Country-specific MIPs revolve around five thematic sectors. Below are the biggest activities in each of the sectors: Green economy • €198 million to create and diversify jobs, develop the “agro-sylvo-pastoral” value chain — which is a system that integrates crop production into livestock production — and contribute to the development of green cities in Niger. • €191.3 million for green recovery and sustainable growth, investment in green growth and decent jobs, and access to green energy and water in Zambia. • €191 million for sustainable businesses in agriculture, forestry, fishery, and the “blue economy,” environmental protection, climate resilience, and tourism, and the promotion of green cities in Tanzania. Governance • €192 million for peace and security, prevention and management of crises, and the improvement of government institutions in Niger. • €152.4 million for democracy and participatory governance, human security, and migration in Nigeria. • €150 million to improve the function of the state through decentralization of the implementation of development programs, adherence to the E.U. rule of law, increasing state revenue, enhancing accountability, and better delivery of public service in Mali. Social development • €169 million to improve sanitation, reduce inequality, and strengthen education in the Democratic Republic of Congo. • €163 million to reduce malnutrition, improve basic education, foster digital transformation, and enhance employment opportunities for youths in Mozambique. • €152.4 million for social protection, family planning and reproductive health, and education in Nigeria. Economic development • €168 million to promote sustainable investments, support the productive sectors, and promote employment in Uganda. • €109.4 million for inclusive, sustainable, and digital growth in Cote d’Ivoire. • €97.5 million to develop public service infrastructure and promote trade within the framework of the Economic Partnership Agreement in Madagascar. Environment • €168 million to develop agriculture, preserve environmental capital, and promote renewable energy in the Democratic Republic of Congo. • €50.8 million to support agro-industries and manage the natural resources in Togo. • €46 million to support sustainable agri-food systems and ensure effective management of ecosystems and biodiversity in Liberia. A further €539.1 million is allocated for support measures. Try out Devex Pro Funding today with a free 5-day trial, and explore funding opportunities from over 850+ sources in addition to our analysis and news content.