European Union (EU) chief Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday unveiled plans to muster investment of more than €150 billion ($172 billion) for Africa, proclaiming Europe to be the continent’s biggest and “most reliable” partner. The scheme is the first regional plan of the European Union’s Global Gateway – an investment blueprint that seeks to mobilise up to €300 billion ($345 billion) for public and private infrastructure around the world by 2027. Seen as a response to China’s Belt and Road initiative, the strategy will use funding from EU institutions and member countries to leverage private-se…