On 4 June 2026, European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela delivered a speech at the Institute of International and European Affairs in Dublin, presenting the EU's Global Gateway strategy as Europe's response to a world where economic power has become a matter of security. Síkela argued that in a context of rising transactionalism, conflicts, and climate crises, the EU must become more strategic in building partnerships while remaining true to its values.
Síkela described Global Gateway as more than an investment strategy, calling it a tool to boost resilience for Europe and its partners. He highlighted the Team Europe approach, which pools EU institutions, member states, development banks, and private capital. Since 2021, Team Europe has mobilised €306 billion in sustainable investment worldwide, from clean energy to digital networks and transport corridors.
Concrete examples cited include the Lobito Corridor in Africa, where €2 billion has been mobilised to upgrade transport links and support local agri-businesses, and health-sector investments of nearly €2 billion to boost vaccine manufacturing in Africa, with facilities in Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa expected to produce up to 500 million doses per year. Síkela also noted a new investment to build Africa's first end-to-end multi-vaccine manufacturing facility in South Africa.
Síkela welcomed Ireland's upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU in July 2026 and its ambition to create an Irish Team National to facilitate private-sector engagement with Global Gateway. Ireland is already involved in 27 Team Europe initiatives, including a flagship in Petén, Guatemala, focused on climate-resilient agriculture and forest management.
The speech contained concrete proposals and numerical targets, including the €306 billion mobilised and specific vaccine production figures. It did not announce new funding or policy changes but reaffirmed existing commitments. The policy orientation is towards deepening EU partnerships with third countries, particularly in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, through a values-based, cooperative approach that contrasts with what Síkela called the 'me-first' trend among other global actors.
Stakeholder impacts: EU taxpayers and member states bear the cost of blending grants and guarantees, but benefit from diversified supply chains for critical raw materials and reduced strategic dependencies. EU businesses gain new investment opportunities in infrastructure and technology transfer projects abroad. Partner countries in Africa and other regions receive infrastructure, technology, and capacity-building, but may face conditions related to governance and environmental standards. The private sector, especially asset managers and development banks, gains de-risked investment opportunities through blended finance mechanisms.