The European Union has committed €4.7 billion to South Africa through its Global Gateway Investment Package, targeting clean energy transitions, critical raw material processing, and domestic vaccine production.
The funding will bolster green hydrogen projects, renewable energy infrastructure, and upgrades to transport and digital networks, while supporting South Africa’s ambition to reduce reliance on coal.
A Major share of the package focuses on developing local pharmaceutical manufacturing, including mRNA vaccine production, to strengthen Africa’s healthcare autonomy. 
The initiative also prioritizes processing minerals like platinum and rare earths, key to EU clean-tech industries, as Europe seeks to diversify supply chains away from China.
EU Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen emphasized the partnership’s role in aligning South Africa’s industrial growth with global climate goals.
The deal builds on the €8.8 billion Just Energy Transition Partnership pledged in 2021 by the EU, U.S., U.K., and others, with South Africa aiming to secure over €30 billion in total climate financing by 2030.
