Kagame Calls for Equal Africa–Europe Partnership at Global Gateway Forum

By The Inspirer. 

President Paul Kagame has called on world leaders to embrace a new model of cooperation between Africa and Europe—one rooted in equality, shared risk, and mutual benefit—as shifting global dynamics reshape traditional approaches to globalization.

The Head of State delivered his remarks on Thursday, October 9, at the second edition of the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, Belgium. The high-level gathering brought together government leaders, financial institutions, private sector representatives, and civil society to discuss innovative strategies for scaling up Global Gateway investments in partner countries.

Kagame emphasized that the world could not afford to turn inward amid growing geopolitical tensions, warning that both economic and security interests are now too interconnected to separate. However, he cautioned that global integration must be equitable for growth to be sustainable.

“A good partnership does not create dependency. It creates value,” Kagame said, noting that Africa’s experience has shown that conditional or one-sided cooperation fails to deliver meaningful transformation.

He highlighted Africa’s priorities—such as infrastructure, technology, and industrial capacity—as essential foundations for competitive trade and long-term prosperity. Europe, he added, stands to benefit from Africa’s expanding market, youthful workforce, and critical natural resources needed for green and digital transitions.

“Our interests are aligned,” Kagame said. “The Global Gateway framework provides a platform to turn these shared interests into sustained mutual growth if both sides remain consistent and pragmatic.”

As an example of effective collaboration, Kagame cited the BioNTech vaccine manufacturing facility under construction in Kigali, supported by the European Union through the Team Europe initiative. The facility, the first of its kind in Africa, will bolster regional vaccine production and reduce reliance on imports.

Spanning 300,000 square metres, the plant is based on BioNTech’s digitally enabled modular manufacturing units known as BioNTainers, which can produce a range of mRNA-based vaccines.

Kagame urged that future financing mechanisms focus on mobilizing private investment and empowering local ecosystems to ensure lasting impact. He commended the European Union for its leadership through the Global Gateway platform and reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to contributing to measurable outcomes.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said the initiative—launched to support global energy and digital transitions—has already surpassed expectations.

“Our initial goal was to mobilize EUR 300 billion in five years, but we have already reached EUR 306 billion in four years,” she said. “We are confident we will surpass EUR 400 billion by 2027.”

Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, who also chairs the African Union, echoed Kagame’s call for stronger cooperation between Africa and Europe under the Global Gateway framework.

“Cooperation between the European Union and Africa through the Global Gateway has enormous potential,” Lourenço said. “At a time of deep interconnections, issues such as energy security, social inclusion, and climate change resilience are vitally important.”

As AU chairperson, he pledged to ensure Africa gains greater value from its raw materials, which play a crucial role in advancing global green and digital transitions.