This study examines how the European Commission and the European Investment Bank measure the impact of their external action programmes and investments on decent and sustainable job creation in Sub Saharan Africa, with particular attention to the Global Gateway. This paper summarises current employment impact assessment practices, recognising their capacity to capture high level direct and indirect employment effects while also identifying clear limitations, especially in harmonising job quality metrics. The paper identifies solid foundations alongside clear shortcomings in the EC and EIB appraisal, monitoring and evaluation systems for measuring decent jobs impacts. It finds that shifts under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe have underscored the importance of adopting robust job creation metrics and for embedding these systematically across EU external action. Finally, the paper showcases good practices in EU programmes and partner multilateral development banks and development finance institutions that have strengthened clarity and commitment to monitoring decent job impacts through country jobs diagnostics, adopting employment markers, reinforcing environmental, social and governance due diligence frameworks and policies promoting responsible business conduct. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP Read more