On the eve of the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, European Commission President Von der Leyen and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani have unveiled the Team Europe Initiative, a collaborative effort aimed at advancing green hydrogen industries and promoting clean energy in Mauritania. This initiative, a part of the EU’s Global Gateway offer, represents a crucial step towards supporting the energy transition and decarbonization of Mauritania’s economy.
The Team Europe Initiative will focus on various key objectives, including:
- Development of essential infrastructure for the production, transportation, and commercialization of green energy.
- Creation of employment opportunities, especially for young individuals, support for the private sector, and the enhancement of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- Skills development through technical and vocational training to meet the labor demands of the hydrogen industry and its associated sectors.
- Improvement of the legal and fiscal framework and the business climate to create an attractive environment for hydrogen development.
This collaborative initiative, supported by the European Commission, France, Germany, Spain, and the European Investment Bank, is set to mobilize substantial additional investments over the coming months.
The EU and Mauritania have a shared interest in various areas, including the green transition, regional stability, and organized migration. Current EU cooperation with Mauritania encompasses human development, transitioning to a green and blue economy, and governance reforms, with an EU commitment of €578 million between 2021 and 2024.
In addition to the Team Europe Initiative, the EU has also signed cooperation agreements in 2023, including funding to promote sustainable food systems and the blue economy in Mauritania. These actions further strengthen the partnership between the EU and Mauritania, promoting economic growth and sustainable development.
The Global Gateway Forum is bringing together government representatives from the European Union and around the world, private sector stakeholders, civil society, financial institutions, and thought leaders to discuss global investment in transformative infrastructure. The Global Gateway strategy, part of the EU’s commitment to reduce the worldwide investment gap, aims to mobilize up to €300 billion in public and private investments from 2021 to 2027, promoting sustainable growth and resilience across the globe.
