Our commitment to European development cooperation

Thinking strategically - joining forces

On behalf of the German Federal Government, KfW Development Bank works closely with the EU Commission, other EU institutions and EU member states to further increase the effectiveness of European development cooperation (DC). In an increasingly multipolar world with geostrategic challenges, we are joining forces to utilise synergies for transformation projects worldwide, thereby strengthening our own resilience and supporting Europe's role in foreign and security policy.

At the centre of this commitment is Global Gateway, the EU's infrastructure financing offer to partner countries. As a connectivity strategy, it is also intended to contribute to better integration within and between the partner countries, as well as their connection with the EU. The aim of Global Gateway is to mobilise up to EUR 300 billion for infrastructure projects in partner countries between 2021 and 2027. The total sum is to be raised from funds provided by the EU Commission, the EU member states, all European implementing organisations and the private sector. Global Gateway is thus seen as a European response to the international commitment of other major donors around the world and complements corresponding offers from other G7 partner countries in the joint Partnership for Infrastructure Investments (PGII). They are intended to provide impetus for important changes in the partner countries and, in the case of Global Gateway, also open doors for the European economy. Global Gateway thus combines international responsibility with Europe's strategic interests and is intended to benefit all parties involved.

It finances infrastructure projects in the areas of digitalisation, climate and energy, transport, health, education and research, as well as support to enabling sectors. The aim is to promote growth, employment, innovation and better living conditions in the partner countries, but also to strengthen Europe as a business location by securing the supply of energy and raw materials, employment and global value chains.

KfW's support to Global Gateway 2021-2024

worldwide by region and sector in EUR

The map depicts KfW's Global Gateway projects and divides them into continents and sectors: climate protection and energy, digital, education and research, supporting sectors, health and transport.

In the period 2021 to 2024 alone, KfW Development Bank provided a total amount of EUR 33.6 billion for this purpose – which is a good ten per cent of the total volume targeted by Global Gateway.1041 projects in over 80 countries benefited from this. At EUR 8.46 billion (25.2%), the highest volume was allocated to the Asia/Oceania region. The Indian subcontinent was a key focus: 42 projects totalling EUR 4.75 billion were supported there. One in three projects is located in sub-Saharan Africa, where the highest number of individual projects was recorded.

Selected Global Gateway projects of KfW

Tunisia

A new undersea power cable for energy cooperation in the Mediterranean

Italy and Tunisia are separated by 200 kilometres of Mediterranean Sea. On one side is the southern border of the EU, on the other the northernmost tip of Africa. However, Tunisia and the EU will soon be moving closer together, at least in terms of energy: thanks to an undersea power cable that is to run between the two continents.

Morocco

A milestone towards a sustainable energy supply in Morocco

Morocco's plan to obtain more than half of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 is well on track. The commissioning of the Jbel Lahdid wind farm has brought the target a good deal closer. Thanks to the 54 new wind turbines installed by Siemens Gamesa in the province of Essaouira, the proportion of renewable energy is increasing significantly.

India

Prime Minister Modi inaugurates metro line that is co-financed by KfW

In the Indian state of Gujarat, a metro is being built between the economic metropolis of Ahmedabad and the state capital Gandhinagar with the participation of German companies - an important tangent where previously there was only a motorway. And a safe, climate-friendly alternative to the increasingly dense road traffic.

KfW, a strong partner within the JEFIC network

To support the EU even better in its development cooperation, KfW works together with its partner institutions AECID (Spain), AFD (France), BGK (Poland) and CDP (Italy) within the framework of JEFIC - Joint European Financiers for International Cooperation. As a network of European development banks and financial institutions, JEFIC co-operates primarily with public sector partners in developing countries and emerging economies. JEFIC also plays an important role in involving the private sector and improving the local regulatory framework. A core objective of JEFIC is to mobilise capital from public and private sources for investment in European development cooperation. This enables the EU's public funds to be utilised more efficiently in strategic priority areas such as Global Gateway.

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