A gateway to equality? Insights from El Salvador and Lesotho on tackling inequalities in the European Union’s Global Gateway programmes

The Global Gateway initiative purports to address investment gaps in the Global South. The initiative was conceived to bolster the EU’s global influence, positioning itself as an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Although the EU has declared its aim to align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement, concerns persist about the Global Gateway’s scope, modalities and underlying intentions.

If Global Gateway disregards the commitment to address inequalities through international partnerships, which has been repeatedly stated by the EU, it will likely exacerbate them. However, if effectively rethought, Global Gateway could contribute to addressing inequalities and sustainable development in combination with the grants-based programmes of NDICI-Global Europe, that should remain the core of the EU’s international cooperation.

Our study explores how Global Gateway projects may contribute to addressing inequalities and makes recommendations. The study focuses on two Global Gateway projects in particular: Renewable Lesotho and Social Digital Connectivity in El Salvador.   

Our analysis has exposed several weaknesses in Global Gateway that could undermine the potential of projects to reduce inequalities. The EU must take specific steps to ensure that tackling inequalities is at the core of Global Gateway’s objectives. Below is CONCORD’s Roadmap to Equality, which comprises our recommendations to reshape Global Gateway, drawing on new findings from this research and based on our knowledge and the evidence we have gathered over several years about inequalities and the effects of private sector investment.