West Africa

A Team Europe delegation paid an official visit to Benin from 18 to 20 March 2024 to strengthen the country’s partnership with the European Union. Made up of senior leaders of the European institutions, several European development agencies and banks, and representatives of EU Member States, the delegation engaged in fruitful exchanges with the Benin government and signed several finance contracts totalling €166 million (around XOF 109 billion). 

Today European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made an official visit to Mauritania, expressing her satisfaction at its strengthening partnership with the European Union. The ceremony, attended by Commission representatives, featured the signing of a financing arrangement for €20 million, with a potential additional tranche of €5 million, by Isselmou Ould Tajidine, CEO of BCI (Banque pour le Commerce et l’Industrie) and Markus Berndt, Deputy Managing Director of EIB Global, the recently established development branch of the European Investment Bank (EIB). This new funding is intended to support Mauritania’s small and medium businesses (SMEs) and mid-caps, backed by the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+). Special focus will be placed on fostering entrepreneurship and access to finance, training and employment for women and youth.

At the EU-Nigeria Strategic Meeting, European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen announced, together with Minister of Budget and Economic Planning of Nigeria, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, a financial package for a total of over €900 million (₦728 billion). Together with Team Europe, this major package forms a central part of the EU-Nigeria cooperation to advance the country’s green, resilient, digital inclusive transition under Government priorities and Global Gateway, the EU’s positive offer to deliver sustainable and trusted connections with partner countries.