At the end of September, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced a €545 million ($636 million) investment package to support renewable energy and electrification in Africa. “The European Union, with the Global Gateway investment plan, is fully committed to supporting Africa on its clean energy path.” The investment program could create 38 million green jobs in Africa by 2030, the EU estimates. Global Gateway is a European initiative to build infrastructure around the world, with Africa its top priority. The Global Gateway, launched in 2021, is the EU’s own attempt to use funding to build influence in regions relevant to its interests—which includes Africa. China has already been investing heavily in clean energy in Africa, and with far fewer constraints.