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Jean Van Wetter - Director Enabel

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Brussels
Jean Van Wetter - Director Enabel

Sharing news about Enabel as well as thoughts on international cooperation issues

07/06/2026

Equitable access to medicines is a foundational human rights issue. Too many people still face a simple but unacceptable reality: medicines exist, but remain out of reach. This is not just a health gap, it’s a question of equity, trust, and dignity.
In this context, I am proud to welcome next week the Commission on Accelerating Progress on Essential Medicines to Enabel offices, followed by a public seminar co-hosted with the African Union –European Union Health Partnership and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Belgium at Palace.
I will have the opportunity to speak about the role international cooperation and organizations such as Enabel can play in turning ambition into reality, by strengthening health systems, improving supply chains, and ensuring medicines reach those who need them most.
Looking forward to a rich discussion moderated by Dimitri Eynikel (European Commission), alongside fellow panelists Veronika Wirtz, Andy Gray, Hans V. Hogerzeil (Lancet Commission), Mariatou Tala Jallow (Africa CDC),Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey (Ghana NVI), Anna Lynch (European Investment Bank (EIB), and Fatima Hassan (Health Justice Initiative).
You're cordially invited to join us!
📍 Brussels or online
📅 11 June 2026
👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/dFCycYmS”

06/06/2026

At Enabel, we act as a connector, between Europe and Africa, between institutions and the private sector, and above all, between people. Yesterday's event at our offices embodied this ambition. It brought together key stakeholders around strengthening economic cooperation and unlocking investment flows between Africa and Europe, with a particular focus on Senegal and The Gambia.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to H.E. Mr. Cissé, Ambassador of to Belgium, and H.E. Jobarteh, Ambassador of The , for their presence and leadership, as well as to our trade commissioner Ivan Korsak Koulagenko and colleagues from hub.brussels, FIT - Flanders Investment & Trade and Wallonia Export & Investment Agency (AWEX) and the entrepreneurs from both countries and their diasporas.
Beyond the exchanges, what emerged clearly is the scale of the opportunity before us. Initiatives such as the Agropole Centre in Senegal illustrate the transformative potential of integrated territorial development. By structuring value chains, connecting producers to markets, and fostering agro-industrial ecosystems, these platforms can become powerful engines of inclusive growth, job creation, and food sovereignty — while offering concrete entry points for European investors and partnerships.
But the ambition goes further. If we are to fully unlock this potential, we must better connect these local dynamics to regional and global systems. Integrating territories into multimodal corridors, linking rural production zones to ports, markets, and logistics networks.
Enabel stands ready to continue playing this bridging role! Thank you Halewijn Timmerman and the whole team in Senegal and The Gambia for a successful event!

05/06/2026

Namibia stands at the frontier of a new global paradigm. With its extraordinary potential in renewable energy, green hydrogen, critical raw materials, and strategic transport corridors, the country is poised to become a regional hub and a key pillar of the global green transition.
In this context, I am particularly proud that Enabel is launching a new programme in Namibia, one that aims to ensure that these abundant natural resources are transformed into tangible socio-economic opportunities for the Namibian people, while at the same time contributing meaningfully to the decarbonisation of global industry.
This is the essence of the partnerships we strive to build: forward-looking, mutually beneficial, and anchored in shared responsibility for our common future. It was therefore a great pleasure to meet this week with H.E. Dr. Alfredo Tjiurimo HENGARI, Ambassador of Namibia to Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and the European Union, to exchange on how we can further deepen this strategic cooperation

04/06/2026

As the negotiations on the next European Union multiannual financial framework intensify in the European Parliament, a key debate is emerging: should the EU prioritise internal policies such as the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), or focus more strongly on its external action through “Global Europe”?
Some argue that this is a zero-sum game, a trade-off between internal and external priorities. I believe this framing is fundamentally flawed. It should not be a choice between the two.
Investing in Global Europe is not at the expense of internal priorities; on the contrary, it directly reinforces them. A stronger global engagement contributes to stability, sustainable supply chains, and economic partnerships that ultimately benefit European citizens, including farmers under the CAP. Food security, climate resilience, and market access are all shaped by what happens beyond Europe’s borders.
Looking ahead, I am convinced that the future of Europe is closely intertwined with Africa. The interdependencies are clear: an ageing Europe alongside a young and rapidly growing African population; shared challenges and opportunities in energy transition; and the strategic importance of raw materials and sustainable value chains. Investing in partnerships with Africa is therefore not external generosity, it is a strategic investment in Europe’s own long-term prosperity, resilience, and security.
This perspective was at the heart of our discussion last yesterday evening at the Valéry Giscard d’Estaing dinner organised by Re-Imagine Europa. The conversation clearly highlighted that Europe’s internal strength and its external action are deeply interconnected, and that breaking down this artificial divide is essential for a more coherent and effective EU strategy.
And this is in any case at the heart of Enabel strategy. Thank you Erika Staël von Holstein for the invitation to this great discussion

04/06/2026

I regularly organise informal breakfasts with colleagues in our Brussels office, a space to listen, exchange, and stay grounded in how people really feel at Enabel. This week, a simple conversation stood out. I asked two interns, one from Belgium, one from Tanzania, how young people in their countries see the future. The contrast was striking: In Belgium, a sense of concern and introspection with many many young people. In Tanzania, ambition, openness, and big dreams, despite a sometimes challenging context.
Two perspectives. One generation. It’s a powerful reminder that hope and confidence are not equally distributed, and that connecting youth across contexts matters more than ever. At Enabel, we have a role to play as a connector. Because the future will be shaped not in isolation, but through connection. Thank you Esther Chacha Wambura and Tommy Goossens for the great conversation

04/06/2026

Quand les partenariats publics et privés unissent leurs forces, ils créent davantage d’opportunités économiques.
Avec des partenaires comme Brussels Airlines Rio Tinto, AB InBev ou Bosch Global, Enabel développe des initiatives qui renforcent les compétences, soutiennent l’emploi, stimulent l’entrepreneuriat et accélèrent la transition durable. 🌍
De l’aviation au développement des chaînes de valeur agricole, en passant par la formation professionnelle des jeunes, ces collaborations transforment des ambitions communes en résultats concrets.
🔗 En savoir plus dans notre rapport d’activités : t.ly/F_YWM
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🤝 When public and private partners join forces, they create more economic opportunities.
Together with partners such as Brussels Airlines, Rio Tinto, AB InBev and Bosch, Enabel develops initiatives that strengthen skills, support employment, foster entrepreneurship and accelerate the sustainable transition. 🌍
From aviation to agricultural value chain development and youth vocational training, these collaborations turn shared ambitions into concrete results.
🔗 Discover more in our Activity Report: t.ly/vHTkl
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🤝 Wanneer publieke en private partners hun krachten bundelen, creëren ze meer economische kansen.
Samen met partners zoals Brussels Airlines, Rio Tinto, AB InBev en Bosch ontwikkelt Enabel initiatieven die vaardigheden versterken, werkgelegenheid ondersteunen, ondernemerschap stimuleren en de duurzame transitie versnellen. 🌍
Van de luchtvaart tot de ontwikkeling van waardeketens in de landbouw en beroepsopleiding voor jongeren: deze parnerschappen zetten gedeelde ambities om in concrete resultaten.
🔗 Lees meer in ons activiteitenverslag: t.ly/HeqC9

Enabel in Ukraine Enabel au Burundi Enabel em Moçambique Enabel in Uganda Enabel in Tanzania Diplomatie.Belgium Bosch Ukraine

03/06/2026

FR - Je suis convaincu que demain des avions commerciaux voleront à l’hydrogène vert, et que l’Afrique sera au cœur de cette révolution. Merci à Edora - Fédération des énergies renouvelables pour l’invitation à intervenir hier lors de votre Assemblée générale hier à l’Aérodrome de Namur. La transition énergétique n’est plus seulement un enjeu climatique : elle est devenue un moteur de compétitivité, d’innovation et de souveraineté. Dans ce contexte, l’Afrique représente un formidable terrain d’innovation : un potentiel renouvelable parmi les plus élevés au monde, des besoins massifs, et donc une capacité unique à développer et tester des solutions énergétiques nouvelles à grande échelle. Oui, 660 millions de personnes n’ont toujours pas accès à l’électricité, mais c’est précisément ce qui fait du continent un laboratoire pour des modèles énergétiques décentralisés, bas carbone et tournés vers l’avenir. Réussir cette transition, c’est relever un triple défi : accès à l’énergie, développement économique et action climatique, en mobilisant financements, innovation et volonté politique. Pour les entreprises belges et européennes, l’enjeu est clair : ne pas regarder la transition uniquement sous un angle local, mais saisir cette opportunité stratégique en s’inscrivant dans des partenariats durables et équilibrés. À Enabel, nous contribuons à créer ces ponts en co‑construisant les solutions de demain avec nos partenaires africains et européens, et en accompagnant les politiques publiques, notamment au Mozambique, en RDC et bientôt en Namibie. L’Afrique n’est pas seulement une partie du défi énergétique mondial, elle est une grande partie de la solution. À nous de nous y engager pleinement. Merci Fawaz Al Bitar pour l'invitatation

NL - Ik ben ervan overtuigd dat commerciële vliegtuigen morgen op groene waterstof zullen vliegen, en dat Afrika in het hart van die revolutie zal staan.
Dank aan Edora - Fédération des énergies renouvelables voor de uitnodiging om gisteren te spreken tijdens jullie algemene vergadering op de luchthaven van Namen.
De energietransitie is niet langer alleen een klimaatvraagstuk: ze is uitgegroeid tot een motor van concurrentievermogen, innovatie en soevereiniteit. In die context is Afrika een uitzonderlijk innovatiegebied: met een van de grootste hernieuwbare energiepotentialen ter wereld, enorme behoeften en dus een unieke capaciteit om nieuwe energiesystemen op grote schaal te ontwikkelen en uit te rollen.
Voor Belgische en Europese bedrijven is de boodschap duidelijk: kijk niet alleen naar de transitie vanuit een lokaal perspectief, maar grijp deze strategische kans en engageer u in duurzame en evenwichtige partnerschappen. Bij Enabel helpen we deze bruggen te bouwen door samen met Afrikaanse en Europese partners de oplossingen van morgen te co-creëren

03/06/2026

Yesterday, I had the honour of delivering a keynote speech at the United Nations House in brussels on the “Investing in Nature” event, organised by the Wildlife Conservation Society together UNDP and The Nature Conservancy, alongside Camilla Brückner and Astrid Schomaker, at the invitation of Janice Weatherley Singh, PhD.
At a moment when international cooperation budgets are declining, we must be clear: this goes against our collective fight to protect our most essential common asset, which is nature. The challenge is not only to invest more, but to better use public finance to catalyse private investment, building credible pipelines in green and blue economy sectors, and aligning efforts.
I also reminded the audience on the need to develop a narrative that resonates with citizens, and with youth in particular. Too often, our sector becomes overly technical and risks losing its public base.

At Enabel, we see initiatives such as the DRC Green Corridor, where conservation, economic opportunity and international partnerships come together, not only as a way to protect nature, but also as a powerful opportunity to reconnect with public support and engagement.
Encouraging to see over 70 participants yesterday, from partner countries, EU institutions, development banks, private sector and NGOs, engaged in this conversation.

02/06/2026

Comme je le répète souvent, la coopération internationale ne peut plus être pensée comme une relation Nord-Sud. Elle doit évoluer vers un partenariat entre pairs, fondé sur des défis et intérêts communs. C’est particulièrement vrai pour la transition énergétique et l’économie circulaire. Ravi dans ce cadre d’avoir accueilli hier à Bruxelles une délégation sénégalaise composée de la SONAGED S.A. (gestion des déchets) et de l’ANER (énergies renouvelables), dans le cadre de notre coopération avec le . Au cœur des échanges, un enjeu émergent mais stratégique, la gestion des déchets d’équipements solaires et électroniques. Derrière cette question se trouvent des défis majeurs, mais aussi des opportunités économiques importantes, liées notamment à la valorisation de matières premières critiques.
Parce que la transition énergétique ne se limite pas à produire de l’énergie propre, elle implique aussi de gérer durablement ce qu’elle génère.
Tous ces échanges devraient déboucher sur de nouveaux partenariats et de nouvelles opportunités économiques, tant au niveau belge que sénégalais.
Merci à toutes les équipes au Sénégal et en Belgique pour leur implication dans ce projet et merci à nos partenaires belges pour leur accueil et disponibilité: Close the Gap, Recupel, Bebat, SORTBAT, Renewi

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Maandag	09:00 - 17:00
Dinsdag	09:00 - 17:00
Woensdag	09:00 - 17:00
Donderdag	09:00 - 17:00
Vrijdag	09:00 - 17:00

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