ANKARA

The African Union (AU) on Monday called on European Union-Africa cooperation on digital investments instead of adopting a “narrow-minded” stance and protectionism.

AU Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, at the opening ceremony of the 7th EU-Africa Summit in Angola’s capital, Luanda, said Africa needs “more investment in innovation, technology, artificial intelligence, and, in broader terms, in the digital economy.”

He recalled that China and the US were investing “hundreds of billions of dollars ... in artificial intelligence.”

Africa lacks financial resources and requires EU support, Youssouf stressed, adding: "Because developing together will certainly be more beneficial to all of us, instead of the narrow-minded positioning in terms of protectionism and also selfishness."

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, for her part, said the “global environment has become harsher” since the last summit in 2022, “but the relationship between Africa and Europe has only grown closer.”

She noted that Europe is Africa's largest trading partner and investor, "with 240 billion euros in 2023 alone," which could increase.

“This continent has everything it takes to deliver prosperity at home and to shape the global economy of tomorrow,” von der Leyen noted, emphasizing that it holds “60% of the world’s best solar resources.”

She agreed that Africa has everything in terms of natural resources and human resources, and now needs capital to achieve more.