The Global Gateway was launched in 2021 as the European Union's strategic investment framework to enhance connectivity and sustainable development worldwide. Initially set at €300 billion, the initiative aimed to strengthen partnerships especially in Africa as a counterweight to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Why It Matters

The revised €400 billion target underscores the EU's growing ambition to assert economic and geopolitical influence in the Global South. By investing in energy, transport, education, and research, the EU seeks not only to foster development but also to secure access to critical minerals needed for Europe's green transition and reduce strategic dependence on China.

European policymakers and development partners have welcomed the scale-up, viewing it as a significant step toward more equitable global investment flows. Business leaders also see the new Global Gateway Investment Hub as a key tool to streamline private-sector participation. However, analysts note that matching China's extensive financing network will remain a challenge.

What's Next

With the Global Gateway Investment Hub now operational, the EU plans to intensify engagement with African, Asian, and Latin American partners to identify priority projects. Success will depend on how effectively Brussels can mobilize private capital and ensure that projects deliver tangible benefits for partner countries, reinforcing the EU's credibility as a sustainable global investor.