Africa has become a competitive arena for global powers due to its potential in critical minerals and energy, with China, the United States, and Russia also vying for influence. The EU remains the continent’s largest foreign investor and its main trading partner, with trade in goods and services estimated at €467 billion in 2023, according to Brussels.
Africa is important to the EU because of its critical minerals and energy, and the continent has become an arena of global competition where the EU is focused on investment and partnership. Regular meetings between leaders of the European Union and the African Union are therefore of paramount importance. Last Monday and Tuesday, they met in Luanda, Angola, for the seventh summit, aimed at deepening economic and security relations. This major event brought together nearly 80 heads of state and government from EU and AU member states. The multilateral forum was co-chaired by the President of Angola, João Lourenço, and the President of the European Council, António Costa. The EU was also represented by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
The summit was held under the theme “Promoting Peace and Prosperity through Effective Multilateralism.” The main topics of the two-day talks were trade, migration, and critical raw materials, with the eurozone trying to maintain influence in the region. The war in Ukraine and US President Donald Trump’s peace plan, which was revised after talks between representatives of Ukraine and the United States in Geneva on Sunday, were also on the agenda.
The EU-AU summit took place shortly after the G20 summit in Johannesburg, the first of its kind on the African continent. The summit also marked the 25th anniversary of relations between the two blocs, which analysts say need to be renewed if Europe is to maintain its position as Africa’s main partner.
In his opening speech, the President of Angola, João Lourenço, said that “this summit offers us the opportunity to reflect deeply on our trajectory and make any necessary corrections, because Africa and Europe, in a framework of mutual respect, have much more to gain than to lose.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa said in a joint statement on Monday that “the challenges we face today, climate change, digital transformation, irregular migration, conflict, and insecurity, know no borders. The answer to this multipolar world must be multipolar cooperation,” adding that “Africa and Europe can lead the way together.” They said both sides were committed to creating “a fairer, greener, and safer world based on shared values and mutual respect.”
However, experts say Europe’s influence is weakening, as Gulf states and Turkey are also making significant inroads into African markets, giving African countries more bargaining power. “We no longer have a situation where Europe was the only partner,” said Geert Laporte of the European think tank ECDPM. Several analysts therefore warn that Europe should instead invest in infrastructure, energy, and job-creating projects, according to AFP. “Africa is not looking for new declarations, but for credible and feasible commitments,” said an African Union spokesman. (According to news agencies).
