Relationship reboot: EU-AU summit ends on positive note despite vaccine difference

After two days of intense discussions, the summit between the European Union and the African union ended on a positive note. Leaders spoke of a renewed partnership, and major investments were announced. But questions remain as to the actual impact this summit will have for the people of both continents.

A joint vision for 2030 based on mutual respect and equality. That was one of the key goals of the 70 diplomatic delegations that had gathered in Brussels. For the African Union, this required a fundamental shift in the relationship between Africa and Europe.

Senegal's president Macky Sall said: "We need to bring a new state of mind to euro-African ties, based on a true vision of partnership, and not just on a relationship based on aid."

Sharing that ambition, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced a major investment for Africa over the next 7 years.

"The first regional plan under our big investment strategy global gateway is the Africa-Europe plan with more than 150 billion euros of investment."

How these funds will be mobilised is still unclear, but the EU says they will help finance the green transition, jobs and education.

Another major area of investment is the digital sector. With only 25% of the African population connected to the internet, many governments, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, say they are already tackling the obstacles that stand in the way of a digital economy.

Explaining the scale of the current challenge, DRC Minister for digital economy Désiré Cashmir Eberande Kolongele told Euronews: "We have a problem, we must absolutely regulate digital activity on the continent. That means having clear rules that specify conditions of access. The second problem is a