Press Release: EU confirms its support for development, integration and promotion of peace and stability in Central Africa

EU Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs on 21 January 2014 announced close to €3 billion in grants for countries and organisations in the region of Central Africa for the period 2014-2020.

The new funding, still subject to confirmation by the EU Member States, will aim to benefit the 162 million citizens living in a region that has suffered from a number of armed conflicts as well as chronic poverty and malnutrition.

Future programmes are expected to support investments that generate growth, improve access to basic social services (e.g. health, energy), reduce food insecurity and promote peace and stability.

The region of Central Africa includes ten countries: Gabon, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tomé & Principe, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Central African Republic, Rwanda and Burundi.