The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group invested €3.1 billion in Africa in 2025, backing projects aligned with national priorities and the EU Global Gateway initiative. The funding—representing a third of EIB Global’s total €9 billion international financing—aims to accelerate sustainable development, strengthen stability, and create jobs through strategic partnerships.
Climate and Sustainability at the Core
The EIB prioritises sustainable development in Africa through financing climate action, clean energy, quality infrastructure, digital inclusion, and private sector growth. Nearly 46% of EIB Global’s activity in 2025 focused on climate and environmental sustainability.
The Bank is also focused on financial inclusion, particularly with a gender lens, alongside resilience, education, and health. Through a Joint Partnership Action Plan with the African Development Bank (AfDB), a shared pipeline of impactful projects is under development for co‑financing, especially in climate sustainability, infrastructure, and economic development.
At the EU‑African Union Summit, the EIB announced a joint initiative with the AfDB and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to explore cooperation on sustainable aviation fuel and clean energy production across Africa.
Flagship Projects by Country
| Country | Flagship Projects / Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| Mauritania | Development of the blue economy |
| Cabo Verde | Blue economy initiatives; climate‑resilient infrastructure |
| Côte d’Ivoire | Reinforcement of the cocoa sector |
| Sierra Leone | Support for agriculture value chains; SME and youth employment |
| Guinea | Agriculture value chains; gender equality and SME support |
| Cameroon | Rural electrification projects benefiting 1.6 million people |
| Morocco | Climate‑resilient drinking water infrastructure; post‑earthquake recovery (schools, hospitals, roads) |
| Egypt | €21m EU grant for industrial decarbonisation and recycling; Obelisk solar PV + battery project; RMBV North Africa Fund III |
| Malawi | SME financing and infrastructure support |
| The Gambia | Targeted SME and infrastructure projects |
| São Tomé & Príncipe | Local development and climate resilience projects |
| Rwanda | Support for mRNA vaccine production |
| Senegal | Vaccine manufacturing capacity with BioNTech |
| Ghana | Vaccine manufacturing capacity with BioNTech |
| Angola | First national vaccination campaign immunising 2 million girls against cervical cancer |
Morocco and Egypt: Strategic Investments
In Morocco, EIB Global financed climate‑resilient drinking water infrastructure and supported post‑earthquake recovery through reconstruction of schools, hospitals, and roads.
In Egypt, the Bank advanced the green transition with a €21 million EU grant to decarbonise industry and enhance recycling. It also backed the Obelisk solar photovoltaic project, Africa’s largest solar and battery storage facility, and invested in the RMBV North Africa Fund III to spur private sector growth.
Health and Human Development
EIB Global partnered with MedAccess to expand access to medical supplies under the Human Development Accelerator (HDX), a joint initiative with the European Commission and the Gates Foundation. Projects included:
- Support for mRNA vaccine production in Rwanda, Senegal, and Ghana.
- Financing Angola’s first national vaccination campaign, immunising over 2 million girls against cervical cancer.
Boosting Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Through the Boost Africa initiative, EIB Global supported the Africa Venture Finance Programme at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, training over 40 Africa‑based venture capital managers. In 2025, the Bank committed €350 million to new funds, including those managed by Amethis and Ardian, to strengthen African businesses and innovation.
Long‑Term Impact
Over the past four years, EIB investments have mobilised €73 billion across Africa. EIB Group President Nadia Calviño noted:
“In 2025, the EIB stepped up its support for win‑win partnerships in Africa based on mutual respect. We are making a difference where it matters most—projects that communities can rely on.”
Global Gateway Milestone
As a key partner in the EU Global Gateway strategy, EIB Global reached its €100 billion investment mobilisation goal in 2025, two years ahead of the 2027 deadline. Three‑quarters of investments outside the EU supported Global Gateway projects, mobilising over €20 billion.
Strengthening Risk Data for Emerging Markets
Beyond financing, the EIB co‑leads the Global Emerging Markets Risk Database (GEMs) with the World Bank Group. This alliance of 29 multilateral development banks pools 40 years of investment data, improving risk assessment and encouraging private investment in Africa’s emerging markets.
Africa’s FDI Inflows Plunge 42% in Early 2025 Amid Global Investment Headwinds
