Europe looks increasingly at Africa—but with new eyes. There is ambition to lift our partnership to another level. We want to engage Africa’s youth who are determined to build their own future, ideally in partnership with others.
The European Union wants to make sure we do this together: not for but with Africa. This is also our approach in the proposal towards a new comprehensive strategy with Africa.
The strategy is a start for an intense dialogue on our shared priorities, with the finishing line at the European Union (EU)— African Union (AU) Summit in October.
At the summit, we should jointly agree on concrete deliverables to benefit the lives of African and European citizens alike. The summit should serve as a catalyst.
The new EU leadership has put Africa at the very top of its agenda. The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel have been to Africa within weeks after taking office.
Meanwhile, Africa is changing too and this change is driven by economic dynamism and the world’s youngest population. Regional integration is also advancing: with the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA), the continent is aiming to create the biggest trade area since the founding of the World Trade Organisation.
Our twin continent is indeed in many ways the place for the future: be it climate change, digitalism, sustainable growth, fair economy and security, it is Africa, where the globally important decisions are going to be taken.
Regrettably, multilateralism is being undermined just when we need it most. The two biggest trends shaping our world—climate change and the digital revolution—are changing both continents.
This is why Africa and Europe should stand up for a model of international cooperation, based on rules-based multilateralism, political freedom, solidarity and human dignity. Inclusivity will enable us to harness the full potential of our citizens, including the youth and women.
Other players are increasingly active in Africa. What is distinct about the EU is that we put human development and sustainability at the heart of our vision: the right of people to shape their own lives in freedom and with their rights protected.
Progress in Africa is real, but there are still many challenges: enduring poverty, conflicts and democratic rights are under threat.
The expected doubling of Africa’s population presents real opportunities but also demands action. We need to be ambitious but also realistic and focused on what works.
The key factor driving us to revamp our partnership is not our geographical proximity, shared past or personal links. What really drives our partnership is our shared future and shared interests. What forms the essence of a future-oriented EU-Africa partnership? This week the European Commission puts forward its proposal for a strategy for a partnership with Africa. The agenda is built on the green transition and energy access, the digital transformation, sustainable growth and jobs, peace and governance and migration and mobility.
Above all, Africa and EU need to be partners for multilateralism, defending a sustainable vision of how to organise societies and the international order, based on human rights and the SDGs, and engaging with youth.
We are ready to take a leap forward in the Europe-Africa relations. Both sides will need to invest in it. Europe for its part is ambitious and keen to discuss with our African partners how we can shape our shared future together.
