The 2025 African Union/European Union summit will reportedly focus on the “partnership dimension, towards a political partnership that addresses all aspects of our relationship”, according to a senior European official speaking at the ‘Africa Political Outlook’ conference in Brussels.
According to this official, the summit will not aim to update a new strategy, but to build on what already exists, while the 2022 EU/AU roadmap remains valid, but needs to be updated in the light of the latest developments. “We must continue to develop a positive narrative of EU/AU engagement beyond crises, be able to exploit the immense potential of the partnership” and inject a new dynamism, the official said.
Pointing out that Africa had become a fierce geopolitical battleground, this European official explained that it was necessary to be there, “to have an offer that responds to the concerns of Africans”. “We need to be able to position ourselves as a partner of choice and demonstrate the importance of partnership”, the official added, highlighting investment in Africa. The EU was Africa’s leading trading partner, with foreign direct investments of around $160 billion, compared with $40 billion for China or the United States.
The European representative also felt that it was necessary to be “attuned to crucial concerns”, whether at European or African level. The representative pointed out that European and African countries represented 40% of the votes at the United Nations and could work together on a wide range of issues, including the energy and climate transition and digital technology.
High-level interaction with African partners was also highlighted. “Where the Chinese hold a summit once a year, we have to use our strike force. We have 27 Member States, 27 European Commissioners, we need to be able to have a continuous political commitment”, warned the European official, also highlighting the need for Europeans to improve their communication. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)