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AU–EU Business Forum 2025: getting the private sector in sustainable investments and trade for shared prosperity with Africa

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The 2025 edition of the Africa–Europe Business Forum (AEBF2025) convened this week in Luanda, bringing together African and European businesses, investors, and policymakers to deepen economic cooperation and advance sustainable development across both continents. Marking 25 years of AU-EU partnership, the Forum took place against the backdrop of one of the world’s most significant economic relationships: the EU remains Africa’s largest trade partner and top investor, accounting for 33% of African goods traded and €239 billion invested in 2023.

Held alongside the AU-EU Summit, AEBF2025 served as a pivotal moment to reinforce joint commitments to trade, investment, and innovation, continuing momentum from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, and the Africa-Europe Investment Package, which has mobilized nearly €80 billion for transformative infrastructure and development projects since 2021.

AEBF2025 highlighted the shared ambition of the African Union and the European Union to expand a partnership rooted in sustainability, mutual benefit, and long-term economic growth. The EU reaffirmed its commitment to working with the AU, development finance institutions, and the private sector to support Africa’s economic transformation and regional integration. Since the launch of the AfCFTA, the EU has mobilised €1.2 billion across more than 80 programmes to support trade facilitation, market integration, and business competitiveness.

During the event, the EU presented key achievements and new commitments under the Global Gateway Africa–Europe Investment Package, which aims to mobilise over €150 billion for sustainable and inclusive investment. With 138 flagship projects and innovative financing tools—such as guarantees, investment grants, and junior equity, the EU continues to de-risk high-impact ventures and crowd in private capital. The European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus currently supports 200 operations valued at €5.5 billion in Sub-Saharan Africa.

As a catalyst for public–private collaboration, the Forum helps define the next phase of AU–EU economic cooperation, aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the EU-AU Joint Vision for 2030. Strategic corridors and value-chain development were in the spotlight, including the Lobito Corridor, a model of the EU’s comprehensive approach, connecting infrastructure investment with business facilitation and local industrialisation.

In the framework of the Forum, African and European business leaders issued a joint declaration outlining key actions needed to unlock the full potential of the AU–EU partnership.

The Business Declaration, endorsed at the AEBF2025, will be presented at the AU-EU Summit on Tuesday, 25th of November.

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For more information

EU-AU Summit

Business Declaration (available as of 17:30, 24-11-2025)

Global Gateway 

Africa-Europe Investment Package

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