"Today, I am proud to announce more than 150 billion euros by the Africa-Europe program; it is the very first regional plan under Global Gateway", she told the press, in reference to the European initiative launched in December and aimed at mobilizing up to 300 billion euros of public and private funds by 2027 in infrastructure projects around the world.
Ms von der Leyen did not provide further details.
"For all this, we of course need the private sector, its expertise and its strong investment, we also need political voluntarism at the highest level", declared Ms. von der Leyen alongside Senegalese President Macky Sall.
Global Gateway is seen as a response to the "New Silk Roads" traced by China.
In Africa too, China is rapidly expanding its economic and political presence.
Ms von der Leyen's visit comes a few days before the European Union-African Union summit on 17 and 18 February in Brussels.
"Investments will be at the heart of the discussions" of this summit, underlined Ms. von der Leyen.
"In this field, Europe is the most reliable partner for Africa and by far the most important", she added.
© 2022 AFP