The European Commission and the World Bank Group have announced a strengthened partnership aimed at advancing infrastructure projects and job creation in emerging economies. The announcement was made on October 8, 2025, ahead of the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels.
Under this collaboration, both organizations will focus on an initial set of 18 investments across Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean. These projects target energy, transport, and digital infrastructure sectors. The partnership is designed to ensure not only project financing but also tangible outcomes such as employment opportunities and improved services.
World Bank Group President Ajay Banga stated: “Creating jobs is a strategic choice. Jobs created in emerging economies expand local opportunity while fuelling global demand. That’s why this partnership matters. Together, the European Commission and the World Bank Group can align investments, unlock private capital, and deliver results at a scale neither could reach alone.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen added: “Today, we are taking our partnership with the World Bank to the next level. This new framework will guide how we steer, govern, and monitor joint projects in areas like energy, transport, and digital infrastructure. This will make sure that Global Gateway’s strategic investments, hand in hand with the World Bank Group’s capacity to deliver reforms, can crowd in maximum private capital.”
The objectives of this initiative include fostering sustainable economic growth by building robust private sectors that generate local employment opportunities. There is a particular emphasis on countries with significant natural resources and large youth populations.
This effort aligns with the World Bank Group’s three-part strategy for job creation: investing in foundational sectors such as education, healthcare, roads, ports, and electricity; promoting business-friendly environments with clear regulations; and supporting private enterprises through financial tools like capital injections and risk insurance.
In addition to physical infrastructure investment meeting high quality and environmental standards, Team Europe will provide regulatory support along with training programs aimed at developing skills within local communities.
The selected projects were chosen based on their compatibility with both Global Gateway objectives and World Bank priorities. Criteria included scalability potential, ability to attract private investment, anticipated impact on job creation, productivity gains, and regional integration.
Global Gateway serves as the EU's external investment strategy focused on creating reliable connections in digital technology as well as energy and transportation networks worldwide. It aims to build equal partnerships that enhance autonomy for both Europe and its partner nations while contributing to global Sustainable Development Goals.
Further details about these initiatives are available through resources provided by Global Gateway Forum, Global Gateway, or via the list of selected projects.