The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s infrastructural development through its Global Gateway Initiative, a strategic program aimed at boosting connectivity, sustainability, and economic growth in Africa.
As part of this initiative, the EU will disburse €150 billion in four years by 2027 to Nigeria and other African countries, with Nigeria set to feature prominently in the investment package.
The initiative will support critical sectors such as transport, energy, digital infrastructure, health, education, and agriculture. It also aims to foster sustainable development, environmental protection, and stronger partnerships between the EU and Nigeria.
During a media briefing in Lagos, Massimo De Luca, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, highlighted the significance of the initiative in strengthening economic ties between Nigeria and Europe. He explained that the Global Gateway is designed to move beyond traditional aid by leveraging investments from both the public and private sectors.
De Luca noted that between 2021 and 2024, the EU had implemented approximately €700 million in projects within Nigeria alone. He emphasized that the EU, along with its member states, remains the largest donor partner for Nigeria.
“The EU’s focus over the last two years has been on Global Gateway, a massive initiative with a €300 billion financing plan, primarily directed at Africa, Latin America, and Asia,” De Luca stated.
Unlike previous cooperation models that focused primarily on technical assistance and capacity building, the Global Gateway initiative is investment-driven.
“This is exciting but slightly unusual for us because it requires our development cooperation department to work closely with investors. These investors can be from either the private or public sector, as long as they commit to long-term sustainability,” he said.
De Luca explained that financial sustainability is a key element of the Global Gateway. Rather than relying on traditional grants, the initiative emphasizes loans and equity investments to ensure project viability.
“The instrument we use is not just grants or contracts for technical assistance. Finance becomes an essential part of it. There must be a loan or equity investment, and someone must be willing to fund the project. This ensures that projects are commercially viable and sustainable,” he noted.
He further emphasised the role of EuroCham, the European Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria, in aggregating European investors already operating in the country. By working with EuroCham, the EU aims to identify priority infrastructure projects that align with Nigeria’s developmental goals.
One of the key focus areas of the Global Gateway in Nigeria is digital transformation. The EU is collaborating closely with Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, to support initiatives such as: Deployment of 90,000 km of fibre optic cables across the country; Establishment of e-governance systems to enhance interoperability and efficiency; Development of digital skills, particularly for young Nigerians.
“We are working closely with Minister Tijani on these three critical aspects. Several development partners are contributing to the deployment of fibre optic cables, which is essential for digital connectivity. Additionally, e-governance systems are being developed to ensure sustainability and efficiency in Nigeria’s digital public administration,” De Luca said.
De Luca revealed that the investment in fibre optic deployment would primarily come from the private sector, while the government would create a special-purpose vehicle to facilitate the project.
“The government will have a 50-50 or 51-49 ownership structure, but the investment—meaning the actual funds—must come from the private sector. We are exploring ways to encourage private sector participation, which could involve a combination of grants for operational costs and loans for infrastructure development,” he explained.
On e-governance, he stressed the need to establish robust protocols and procure necessary software and hardware to enable seamless integration across government agencies. “We are engaging with the private sector to understand best practices and identify the most suitable models for Nigeria,” he said.
The EU is also committed to enhancing digital skills among Nigerians, particularly in alignment with Nigeria’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program.
“Our presence in digital skills development is already significant. Along with our partners from GIZ, we have launched Digital Transformation Centres (DTCs), with Lagos serving as a key hub. We also support NitHub at the University of Lagos and other innovation centres across the country,” De Luca said.
Through these hubs, the EU organizes peer-to-peer training programs, providing young Nigerians with internationally recognized certifications and practical experience.
De Luca emphasised that the EU is working with its member states under the Team Europe framework to transfer European expertise to Nigeria. “We are identifying best practices from the EU that would be most beneficial for Nigeria and working with the government to implement them effectively,” he said.
The EU’s Global Gateway initiative marks a significant shift in development cooperation by focusing on large-scale investments rather than traditional aid. With €150 billion earmarked for Africa and Nigeria positioned as a priority country, stakeholders believe the initiative is expected to drive infrastructure development, economic growth, and digital transformation.
By fostering strong partnerships with the Nigerian government, private investors, and European stakeholders, the EU aims to create a sustainable and inclusive development model that will benefit both Nigeria and its citizens in the long run.
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