Devising and implementing a comprehensive transatlantic approach to developing countries in Africa is of critical importance to North America and Europe for economic, security, and moral reasons. While most African countries in the years before the global recession enjoyed impressive economic growth with an annual average of 6 percent, the food crisis and the world economic crisis brought this period of growth to a standstill and pushed approximately 200 million people back into poverty. In addition, illiteracy, malnutrition, and poor health still affect large parts of the population in Africa. The domestic challenges in the developing world and the inability of some governments to provide for their citizens can have international ramifications, including refugee migration, pandemics, or proliferation of criminal networks, wars, and terrorism.

North America and Europe still account for over 93 percent of total bilateral aid to Africa and leaders on both sides of the Atlantic have made commitments  to address food security and climate change in the developing world. In addition, both the United States and Europe are in the process of reviewing their trade and development policies toward African countries in order to increase their effectiveness.

GMF addresses the opportunities and challenges facing countries in Africa through grantmaking, convening, networking, and research efforts around aid, trade, agriculture, and food security to promote conditions for sustainable and market-led development.