Tech in Africa
The European Union announced €82.5 million for six new projects at the Pan-African Programme to help strengthen cooperation in Africa across multiple sectors, particularly sustainable resource management, air transport, regional integration and trade, and digitization.
Most new projects are based on innovative digital technologies or space applications such as satellite imagery. Jutta Urpilainen, Commissioner for International Partnerships described the move as a “scaling up our long-standing partnership” in Africa, pointing out how digital technologies are harnessed in prioritizing climate action and sustained economic growth.
Guided by the Pan-African Programme, the EU will support;
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
The EU strongly supports the intercontinental integration of the continent. €32 million will be directed towards ongoing negotiations on trade protocols, their implementation, and the establishment of AfCFTA according to the AU’s definition. This project is the largest trade union in the globe and majorly increase intra-Africa trade between Europe and Africa. This translates to cumulative support of €72.5 million for the 2014 to 2020 period.
Other areas of cooperation
- €25 million will be used in the support of the second phase of the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security & Africa programme. The program supplies earth observation data while relying on data from the Copernicus programme. It also contributes to food security, builds resilient ecosystems, i.e monitoring flood, and land degradation.
- €8 million will go into Pan-African Support for Geological Sciences and Technology Africa – EU Partnership between 2021 to 2023.
- €8 million will go to a recently launched Africa-Europe Digital for Development Hub.
- €5 million will be allocated in accelerating the Single African Air Transport Market.
- €4.5 million will go in ensuring an additional third phase in Satellite Navigation in Africa Support Programme.
More details on TechAfricaNews
