25 years of cooperation between the European & African Union — an equal partnership? | DW News

Key Concepts

• EU-AU Partnership: The long-standing cooperation between the European Union and the African Union, spanning 25 years.
• Donor-Recipient Relationship: A complicating factor in the EU-AU partnership, where Africa is often viewed as a recipient of aid from Europe.
• Economic Priorities (AU): Job creation, infrastructure connectivity, regional integration, and economic growth.
• Global Gateway Project: An EU initiative aiming to invest €150 billion by 2027 in infrastructure, energy, digital connectivity, and pharmaceutical value chains globally, with a focus on Africa.
• Critical Minerals: Resources found in Africa that are increasingly sought after globally, raising questions about equitable benefit sharing for African nations.
• Value Chains: The entire process of creating and delivering a product or service, from raw materials to the end consumer.

EU-AU Summit and Partnership Dynamics

The recent EU-AU summit in Lwanda, Angola, saw discussions on trade, security, and migration, with the ongoing situation in Ukraine also taking some focus. This summit marks the seventh in the 25-year history of the partnership between the two blocs. The EU is the African continent's most significant trading partner, and leaders aim to deepen ties and certify economies through this meeting.

Equality in the Partnership

Tegisti Amari, Director of the Africa Program at Chatham House, highlights that defining the EU-AU partnership as "equal" is challenging. A primary complicating factor has been the historical "donor-recipient relationship." While the EU remains Africa's largest trading partner, this apparent inequality matters significantly when attempting to forge a partnership of equals and solve shared problems through diplomacy. The historical context and existing challenges, particularly concerning migration, which is a politically sensitive issue in Europe but less so in Africa, make finding joint solutions more complex.

African Union's Key Priorities

The African Union's core priorities for its member states revolve around:

• Job Creation: Addressing the need to create millions of jobs for a growing population.
• Infrastructure Connectivity: Enhancing infrastructure to improve connections within the continent.
• Regional Integration: Fostering closer ties and cooperation among African nations.
• Economic Growth: Driving overall economic development.

Achieving these goals necessitates creating industries and processing units within Africa. This presents an opportunity for increased partnership with Europe, particularly in areas of shared interest.

Migration as a Shared Interest

Migration, often a divisive issue, can be reframed as a shared interest. Africa's growing population signifies a larger market for European industries. Furthermore, developing manufacturing capabilities in Africa for European goods could create jobs locally, thereby reducing migration pressures into Europe, presenting a "win-win" scenario.

Addressing the Donor-Recipient Dynamic in Investment

The concern that European-financed factories in Africa might perpetuate the donor-recipient dynamic is acknowledged. However, the focus is shifting from development aid to industries, trade, and investment in jobs. The EU is demonstrating a move in this direction through initiatives like the Global Gateway project.

The Global Gateway Project

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU is on track to meet its target of spending €150 billion by 2027 as part of the Global Gateway project. This investment is earmarked for critical areas such as:

• Infrastructure: Building essential physical and digital networks.
• Energy: Developing sustainable energy solutions.
• Digital Connectivity: Expanding internet access and digital services.
• Pharmaceutical Value Chains: Strengthening the production and distribution of medicines.

These investments are intended to create much-needed jobs within the African continent. Building manufacturing capacity in Africa is also seen as crucial for generating additional employment opportunities.

Critical Minerals and Benefit Sharing

Africa has emerged as a significant battleground for critical minerals. While many African governments aspire to create value chains that allow them to retain the majority of the economic benefits from these resources, this is still a "work in progress." The EU can play a crucial role as a partner in helping African countries achieve this objective.

Conclusion

The EU-AU partnership, while long-standing, faces challenges in achieving true equality due to historical donor-recipient dynamics. However, there is a clear recognition of shared interests, particularly in economic development and job creation in Africa. Initiatives like the Global Gateway project signal a shift towards investment in industries and infrastructure, aiming to create a more balanced and mutually beneficial relationship. Ensuring that African nations reap equitable benefits from their critical mineral resources remains a key area for future collaboration and development.