In short
- Partnerships in clean energy can help to boost EU energy security and competitiveness as well as that of partner countries.
- Continued investment in development assistance (ODA) can serve Europe’s strategic interests by creating the enabling conditions for larger energy and industrial investments.
- The strongest partnerships are those that foster local value creation rather than prioritising the direct export of extractives such as hydrogen or critical raw materials to Europe.
- Morocco shows how this can work: green hydrogen can produce low-carbon fertilisers locally, supporting Moroccan industry while strengthening Europe’s fertiliser supply.
- Uzbekistan shows how development aid can strengthen geological mapping, regulation and skills, supporting responsible local processing while diversifying European supply chains.
As the EU seeks to reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels, an accelerated domestic energy transition will not be sufficient. Europe will continue to rely on international partners for critical raw materials (CRM), green hydrogen and low-carbon industrial inputs. This policy brief examines how Official Development Assistance (ODA) can support sustainable development in partner countries while advancing EU energy security and industrial competitiveness. As development budgets come under pressure, ODA can serve European strategic interests by creating enabling conditions for larger energy and industrial investments through technical cooperation, regulatory reform and knowledge transfer, alongside complementary de-risking instruments. To remain credible, however, this strategic use of ODA needs to stay anchored in partner-country priorities and development objectives. The brief analyses two complementary cases. Morocco shows a proximity-based model of green industrial cooperation centred on green hydrogen, ammonia and low-carbon fertilisers. Uzbekistan illustrates upstream CRM diversification and sustainable local processing. Together, they demonstrate how ODA can align European strategic interests with partner country priorities.
About the author:
Louise van Schaik is Head of Unit EU & Global Affairs. She also coordinates Clingendael research in the field of critical resources.