What You Need to Know
European and African leaders convene in Angola to strengthen trade ties and discuss migration and strategic minerals. The summit also addresses the impact of global powers like the U.S. and China on Africa, emphasizing the need for reliable commitments and infrastructure investments to foster economic growth and reduce illegal migration to Europe.
Africa. Leaders from Africa and Europe are meeting in Angola today, Monday, to strengthen trade relations and discuss issues related to migration and strategic minerals. The summit is expected to include further consultations among European leaders regarding the U.S. plan to end the war in Ukraine.
Participating in this meeting between the European Union and the African Union are French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Kenyan President William Ruto, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, as Africa emerges as a new competitive arena among the United States, China, and Russia.
European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated today that the challenges we face, from climate change to digital transformation, illegal migration, conflicts, and insecurity, know no borders.
They emphasized in a joint statement, “We must respond to this multipolar world with multipolar cooperation. Together, Africa and Europe can lead the way.”
However, the relationship between the two sides has faced setbacks, sometimes fueled by resentment over the bloody past of former colonial powers and competition from China, which is launching massive infrastructure projects on the continent.
Russia has also capitalized on France’s declining presence in its former sphere of influence to become the security partner for several African countries.
Need for Reliable Commitments
Arab Gulf states and Turkey have also strengthened their presence in Africa, providing African countries with more trade opportunities and, consequently, greater negotiating power against the European Union, as noted by Geert Laporte from the European Centre for Policy Research.
He points out, “We are no longer in a position where Europe was the only partner,” and capitals in the European Union must offer something “attractive enough to overcome” the competition.
This requires investments in infrastructure, energy, and industrial projects that generate jobs and boost economic growth in Africa, which contrasts sharply with the outcomes of previous summits on Africa that largely focused on goodwill without much concrete action.
African Union spokesperson Nour Mahmoud Sheikh summarized the situation by saying, “Africa is not looking for new statements, but for reliable and achievable commitments.”
Heads of state and government will discuss ways to curb illegal migration to Europe, a central issue in the literature of the far-right, which has gained significant electoral victories in the continent in recent years.
The summit will also address security issues and a diplomatic initiative to give Africa a stronger voice in global governance bodies, such as the United Nations Security Council and the World Bank.
Additionally, it will discuss enhancing trade, particularly following former U.S. President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs on EU countries.
The European Union is expected to offer its expertise to help develop intra-African trade, which currently accounts for only 15% of total trade on the continent, according to statements from diplomats to the French press agency.
The EU will also seek to secure strategic minerals necessary for the environmental transition and reduce its reliance on China for rare earth elements essential for technology and electronic products.
Some projects will be included in the “Global Gateway,” a broad infrastructure plan aimed at countering China’s growing global influence.
Ikemiset Ifiong from a Nigerian consulting firm states that Europe’s credibility now depends on its ability to support projects that create value in Africa, not just on Brussels’ vision.
Ukraine on the Agenda
On the sidelines of the summit, following the G20 summit of major economies held on Saturday and Sunday in South Africa, leaders will continue discussions on the U.S. plan to end the Russian war in Ukraine.
A meeting on this topic is scheduled for today, Monday, in the Angolan capital Luanda, at the invitation of European Council President Antonio Costa, to review ongoing talks in Geneva between U.S., Ukrainian, and European officials.
Costa wrote on the X platform ahead of the meeting that he spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to get his assessment of the situation, considering that the EU’s unified and coordinated stance is essential to ensure a positive outcome for peace negotiations for Ukraine and Europe.
The relationship between Europe and Africa has been shaped by a complex history of colonialism and competition for influence. In recent years, Africa has emerged as a new battleground for global powers, with countries like the U.S., China, and Russia vying for partnerships and resources. This summit aims to redefine these relationships, focusing on mutual benefits and addressing pressing issues like migration and economic development.
As Africa’s geopolitical significance grows, the continent seeks to leverage its position to negotiate better terms with traditional partners. The increasing presence of Gulf states and Turkey in Africa has further complicated the dynamics, providing African,
