Global Gateway: EU partners with South Africa to invest €280 million in its Just and Green Recovery

As Team Europe, the EU and its Member States will invest more than €280 million in grants in South Africa, including €87.75 million from the EU budget, to support policy reforms on green recovery, unlock green investments and build a knowledge-based transition in the framework of the Just and Green Recovery Team Europe Initiative for South Africa launched today in Pretoria as part of Global Gateway.

Through this partnership with South Africa, the Just and Green Recovery Team Europe Initiative will support the country in achieving its national goal to tackle the country’s pressing socio-economic challenges through policy dialogue, facilitating investment, including for public infrastructure and to unlock a sustainable, biodiversity friendly and circular economy and combat climate change.

For example, €40 million of EU grant funding will be used to facilitate investment in public infrastructure in South Africa through blended finance. The EU will also support projects to boost greening of municipal services across South Africa. EU member states will also work on the repurposing of coal power plants for the green transition, improving energy efficiency in public buildings and accelerating circular economy start-ups.

Additionally, under the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), Germany, France and the EU will provide financing of more than $3 billion to South Africa. The JETP will contribute to the objectives of the Team Europe Initiative for Just and Green Recovery. Both will be mutually reinforcing.