Thank you for your warm welcome to Johannesburg. Tomorrow, you will host the G20 in your great and beautiful country. This will be the first G20 Summit to take place on African soil and the first since the African Union joined as a permanent member – highlighting Africa's central, vital role on the global stage.
But first, let us talk about us – Europe and South Africa. Dear Cyril, what a year it has been for our relationship. Today we are building on the success of our Summit in Cape Town and of the Global Gateway Summit in Brussels - thank you again for having come there. Now, right here in Joburg, we double down on our unique partnership. First of all, we signed our Clean Trade and Investment Partnership. This is the very first time that the European Union is signing such a partnership. So you are a highly valued partner for clean trade and investment. It will boost trade and investment in key clean sectors – green hydrogen, renewables and many more.
For the first time, we will discuss regulation, trade barriers and supply security – under one framework. The CTIP will make South Africa a destination of choice for European clean tech investment. It will also broaden our cooperation on skills. Because technologies are only as good as the people operating them. So upskilling is a key part here. And of course, with skills come jobs – new jobs, good jobs, right here in South Africa.
Today, we also signed our Memorandum of Understanding on the Minerals and Metals Value Chain Partnership. We need these inputs to power the clean energy transition – both here and in Europe. The future of our economies depends on fair and reliable supply chains – my emphasis is on 'reliable supply chains'. This is the reason why we strengthen and diversify our supplies among trusted partners. And for us, you are one of the first trusted partners. This agreement will also help South Africa to expand this strategic industry. As you said, we are not just looking at extraction. It is important for us that we look at the entire value chain, at the local added value. Because this brings local jobs. For us this is the meaning of a sustainable and trusted partnership over a long time. Today at the airport, I was received by the Minister of minerals, and we were discussing just that. And when I said that, aside from extraction, what is important for us is the local processing, the local added value and the local jobs, you said: 'Since you said that, I will come this afternoon to sign the agreement!' And here you are!
We are also delivering on our EUR 12 billion Global Gateway investment package. And today, we have signed three new major projects. First, together with the European Investment Bank, we are investing EUR 350 million to modernise South Africa's infrastructure, both in transport and energy. This includes support for Transnet's decarbonisation under the Just Energy Transition Partnership. Second, we are launching a EUR 330 million financing package to strengthen value chains for critical raw materials, green hydrogen and e-batteries. And third, we are investing EUR 70 million in South Africa's pharma and vaccine production. This is a real success story, because I remember how much we were discussing during the pandemic on how we can make sure that the development and vaccines for Africa takes place in Africa. COVID-19 showed us how important vaccine sovereignty is. And here is the result, it is up and running. So I thank you for the excellent cooperation.
Finally, we are teaming up, dear Cyril, not only for South Africa, but for the whole of Africa. One year ago, the two of us launched the 'Scaling Up Renewables in Africa' campaign, to mobilise investments for clean energy. To help provide access to electricity for the 600 million people on the continent who still lack it. Tomorrow is the big day. Our final pledging event. We have brought governments, companies and philanthropists together, with one clear goal in mind: to power the future of this entire continent with clean, affordable and accessible energy. And tomorrow, we are hosting the final pledging event here together. So, I am very much looking forward to the next days.
