European Union and AfCFTA Secretariat strengthen their partnership to promote intra-African trade and investment

The MoU was signed by H.E. Jozef Síkela, European Commissioner for International Partnerships, and H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, on the sidelines of the EU-Ethiopia Business Forum taking place 20 - 22 April in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The MoU builds on the broader AU-EU partnership based on the Joint Vision for 2030reaffirmed at the 7^th AU-EU Summit last year in Luanda, where EU and African Heads of State and Government committed to continue promoting a prosperous, stable, and sustainable Africa and Europe.

"With this MoU, the European Union reaffirms its commitment to support the economic and trade integration of the African continent under the AfCFTA in order to boost new investment opportunities on the continent for African and European businesses, sustainable growth, and decent jobs for African citizens", remarked Jozef Síkela, EU Commissioner for International Partnerships.

"The European Union investment flows onto the African continent exceed 250 billion euros, accounting for roughly 40-50% of total FDI flows into Africa. This position is now further strengthened by the existence of the AFCFTA, which liberalises the investment market, liberalises the trade regime, and enables European companies to take full advantage of economies of scale.", added Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General, AfCFTA Secretariat.

The MoU establishes a structured framework for collaboration between the EU and the AfCFTA Secretariat, guided by the principles of strategic alignment and mutual benefit. It reflects a partnership aligned with Africa's priorities and enables policy dialogue, knowledge exchange, and coordinated engagement on trade and trade-related matters, including in regional and international forums.

The EU and its Member States are the main partners to the AfCFTA since its inception. The EUR 1.2 billion Team Europe Initiative (TEI) in Support of African Economic Integration, comprising over 80 actions aimed at strengthening intra-African trade in alignment with the African Union Agenda 2063 and the European Union Global Gateway Strategy. The TEI is jointly funded by the EU, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Finland, and Sweden.

Among these is the EU Technical Assistance Facility (EU-TAF), which provides demand-driven technical support to the AfCFTA Secretariat, the AU and its specialised agencies, Regional Economic Communities, AU Member States, the private sector, and civil society. This facility positions the EU and its Member States as single largest partner to the AfCFTA Secretariat.

European Union, 2026

Both parties committed to deepen intra-African trade and investment, notably through open dialogue for mutual benefit, to fully support the effective implementation of the AfCFTA across the continent, in the joint interest of the African and EU private sectors. The agreement further advances the objectives of the African Union's Agenda 2063 and contributes to a rules-based, open, and equitable multilateral trading system.

Related audiovisual material available at EBS.