On 10 June 2026, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič, together with ministers from Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles, announced the conclusion of negotiations to deepen the existing EU-Eastern and Southern Africa Economic Partnership Agreement into a modern and comprehensive free trade agreement. The deal, the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa, covers trade in goods, services, investment, digital trade and sectoral cooperation, while supporting local processing and industrial transformation in the ESA states. Both sides welcomed the milestone and committed to taking steps toward signature and entry into force as soon as possible, noting that other ESA states may accede when ready.