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European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Opening speech by Commissioner Síkela at the Africa Smart Mobility Forum Prague, 1 June 2026 Ministers, Distinguished guests, Thank you for the invitation to this event, here in the beautiful halls of the Černín Palace, a building that has been walked by some of the greatest figures of Czech diplomacy: Karel Schwarzenberg, Jan Masaryk, Jiří Dienstbier. I am glad t...
European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Opening speech by Commissioner Síkela at the Africa Smart Mobility Forum Prague, 1 June 2026 Ministers, Distinguished guests, Thank you for the invitation to this event, here in the beautiful halls of the Černín Palace, a building that has been walked by some of the greatest figures of Czech diplomacy: Karel Schwarzenberg, Jan Masaryk, Jiří Dienstbier. I am glad to see so many Czech companies today, alongside representatives from across our partner countries. I want to talk to you today about concrete opportunities, for your companies, for Africa, and for Europe. Global Gateway, our strategy for external investments, that I am in charge of, is the tool we use to seize them. This forum speaks for itself. And it is a clear answer to something said not long ago by senior members of the Czech government - that the cooperation with developing countries and the Global Gateway strategy is insignificant. On the contrary. It is very significant. Let me show you why. For me, Global Gateway is one of the most effective geopolitical instruments Europe has. Through it, we strengthen stability in Europe's neighbourhood, reinforce our economic security, and open doors for our companies in the world's fastest-growing markets. Let me start with an example most of you know well: the delivery of Czech trains to Uzbekistan. Škoda Group had been competing for years to supply trains for the Uzbek railway network. It was up against strong competition from Russia and China, both with serious diplomatic weight behind them. Under Global Gateway, we brought together financial tools from the European Commission, the European Investment Bank and the Czech Export Guarantee and Insurance Corporation and prepared the right support for this company. Škoda Group also strengthened its bid by offering local assembly, servicing, and technology transfer. That means jobs for Uzbekistan and a long-term presence for the company in the region. I am convinced that without the financial instruments we prepared, the deal would have been won by someone else. In the end, the same members of the Czech government who had called Global Gateway insignificant were able to celebrate what they themselves described as the biggest deal of the last two decades. This is one project among many, but it illustrates clearly what the European Commission can offer the private sector. It is also about a more comprehensive form of partnership, one that ensures more value is created locally. We connect our infrastructure investments with support for education, training, and stronger public institutions. Uzbekistan is one example. But the same logic applies in Africa, where the scale of the opportunity is even larger. Africa is the EU's natural partner under Global Gateway, linked not just by geography, but by economic and strategic interest. So it is fitting that the lion's share of EU investments is directed to Africa. We have mobilised over €120 billion since 2021 under the Global Gateway Africa-Europe Investment Package. Africa is quickly becoming the world's biggest mobility growth market. This creates tremendous opportunities to connect its growing and urbanising population, and to integrate its 54 economies under the African Continental Free Trade Area. For instance, when I was in Dakar, I had the chance to ride the Train Express Régional. This modern electric rail line now carries over a hundred thousand passengers a day. We are also supporting Africa's aviation sector, whether by implementing the best regulatory and safety standards or by upgrading airports, for instance in Burundi and Liberia. Whether local, regional, or continental, each of these transformative investments is driven by the private sector. The Train Express Régional in Senegal was built by Alstom. Along the Lobito Corridor, European companies are very present. The port of Lobito is managed by Africa Global Logistics, part of the MSC Group. The railway concession in Angola is operated by a consortium of Mota-Engil, Trafigura and Vecturis. And Invest International is co-developing the Caála Logistics Platform. On the aviation side, Brussels Airlines is the key actor modernising the airports in Bujumbura and Monrovia. In each case, the private sector is helping to connect people and businesses to Africa, Europe and global markets. A strong European private sector is essential for Global Gateway. We have listened to the requests for a clear and simple entry channel into Global Gateway, and we have launched the Global Gateway Investment Hub. Through it, companies working with their Member States can propose projects that align with Global Gateway priorities and access Team Europe support, whether financial, regulatory, or diplomatic. Every project we back comes with a strong emphasis on values. That is not a burden. It is our advantage. Take climate. In our partner countries, the climate crisis is far from over. Many of our partners are already spending up to 9% of their public budgets responding to the consequences of extreme weather. They are not looking for partners who ignore this. They are looking for partners who take it seriously. Every Global Gateway investment meets the highest environmental standards, because our partners want it. The same logic applies to how we design projects on the ground. Infrastructure built without the communities around it does not deliver the impact that is needed. That is why we work with civil society organisations. In the Czech Republic, we have strong experience with People in Need. Along the Lobito Corridor, a railway that will connect Zambia and the DRC to the Angolan coast and give Europe more reliable access to critical raw materials, People in Need is working directly with communities living along the route. Together, we are making sure that local farmers and small businesses can actually use the corridor to grow their businesses. Ladies and gentlemen, I began with a word: insignificant. But Global Gateway is about Czech trains being delivered to Uzbekistan. It is about European companies building railways, ports and airports across Africa, Latin America or Asia. That is the exact opposite of insignificant. And it is something we, as Europe, can be proud of. Now we have a good chance to achieve even more. The opportunity is real, and the door to the Investment Hub is open. What we need now is simple. Strong Global Gateway projects, submitted by the European private sector, that we will make even stronger together. Thank you. SPEECH/26/1217
Speech Brief