The Africa programme analyses the geopolitics of the Africa-Europe relationship. In particular, the programme delves into relations between the African Union and the European Union to find creative foreign policy tools and strategies. It also focuses on two regions that are particularly relevant for Europe: the Horn of Africa and the Sahel.
The EU faces a massive uphill struggle to secure critical raw material supply chains – and its efforts may even be undermining the bloc’s de-risking objectives by indirectly helping Chinese companies
Rather than disengaging from the coup belt, European governments should stay present and work to curb the worst of the chaos engulfing the region — and prevent rival powers from gaining the upper hand
North African countries are increasingly adopting ‘security first’ approaches towards sub-Saharan African migrants – a shift that could force EU states to rethink their own approach to the issue
Russia’s veto of a UN resolution to protect Sudanese civilians highlights the deadly consequences of great-power competition. As Sudan faces a catastrophic man-made humanitarian crisis, European efforts must prioritise local initiatives to safeguard vulnerable populations
During his first presidency, Donald Trump’s Africa policy was defined by a series of gaffs and confused foreign policy decisions. His re-election is a wake-up call to European governments that building a strong relationship with the world’s fastest-growing continent is more vital than ever
Somalia’s new defence pact with Egypt has angered Ethiopia, undermining coalition efforts to contain al-Shabaab, a Jihadist group. European diplomats can help revert this dangerous path
The EU faces a massive uphill struggle to secure critical raw material supply chains – and its efforts may even be undermining the bloc’s de-risking objectives by indirectly helping Chinese companies
Moscow’s actions in Africa often fail to meet the continent’s development goals, presenting European leaders with an opportunity to counter Russian influence. However, they must remain vigilant about Russia’s alliances with the global south – and particularly initiatives such as BRICS
Baku is attempting to exploit anti-French sentiment in the Comoros, a move right out of Russia’s foreign policy playbook. Europeans should act fast to secure their Indian Ocean ally
Mark Leonard welcomes Will Brown, Jonas Horner, and Raga Makawi to discuss the EU’s response to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan
A decade of military, humanitarian, and developmental European interventions in the Sahelian states of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have failed comprehensively. Yet, European governments…
Rather than disengaging from the coup belt, European governments should stay present and work to curb the worst of the chaos engulfing the region — and prevent rival powers from gaining the upper hand
Mutual aid and civilian representative groups have proven their capability and deserve deeper European backing
The EU faces a massive uphill struggle to secure critical raw material supply chains – and its efforts may even be undermining the bloc’s de-risking objectives by indirectly helping Chinese companies
Rather than disengaging from the coup belt, European governments should stay present and work to curb the worst of the chaos engulfing the region — and prevent rival powers from gaining the upper hand
North African countries are increasingly adopting ‘security first’ approaches towards sub-Saharan African migrants – a shift that could force EU states to rethink their own approach to the issue
The UAE has invested heavily in Africa’s energy sectors in recent years, expanding its stakes in oil and gas, and renewables. Rather than viewing the UAE as solely a rival, Europeans should pursue a strategy of “co-opetition”, balancing competition with cooperation in areas of mutual interest, to fast-track green initiatives
African and European decision-makers can achieve mutual benefit on critical raw materials – but the EU should be clearer about which parts of the value chain it wishes to invest in
Middle powers are shaping a fragmented world for which Europe is ill prepared. To protect its interests and values, the EU needs a foreign policy strategy that emphasises its wide range of interdependencies
Services play an increasingly important role in international trade. Improving EU-African trade in services would have wide-ranging benefits for both sides
Sudan needs a viable political pathway to end the military coup of 2021. European states should support pro-democracy actors while encouraging a comprehensive peace process
Africa’s new trade agreement promises deep economic integration on the continent – and offers the opportunity for greater African-European cooperation, including on the role trade can play in the green and digital transitions
A closer relationship between Britain, Africa, and the EU would benefit all sides. But this would require the British government to change its approach to Europe as well as to Africa
Russia’s veto of a UN resolution to protect Sudanese civilians highlights the deadly consequences of great-power competition. As Sudan faces a catastrophic man-made humanitarian crisis, European efforts must prioritise local initiatives to safeguard vulnerable populations
During his first presidency, Donald Trump’s Africa policy was defined by a series of gaffs and confused foreign policy decisions. His re-election is a wake-up call to European governments that building a strong relationship with the world’s fastest-growing continent is more vital than ever
Somalia’s new defence pact with Egypt has angered Ethiopia, undermining coalition efforts to contain al-Shabaab, a Jihadist group. European diplomats can help revert this dangerous path
Moscow’s actions in Africa often fail to meet the continent’s development goals, presenting European leaders with an opportunity to counter Russian influence. However, they must remain vigilant about Russia’s alliances with the global south – and particularly initiatives such as BRICS
Baku is attempting to exploit anti-French sentiment in the Comoros, a move right out of Russia’s foreign policy playbook. Europeans should act fast to secure their Indian Ocean ally
Mutual aid and civilian representative groups have proven their capability and deserve deeper European backing
While Russia remains a potent player in parts of Africa, recent events in the Sahelian states have shown that Russian forces are deeply overstretched and losing credibility. It is obvious to all involved that Moscow has no solutions – which leaves a diplomatic opening for the West
China’s overcapacity has hit Europe’s economies hard, but it is also damaging Africa’s. With both continents suffering, Africa and Europe can make common cause in confronting this mutual challenge
As warring parties squabble over empty verbal commitments, civilian protection in Sudan has taken a backseat. European governments must urgently prioritise their safety
On Saturday, Germany became the latest European country to withdraw military forces from the Sahel. Other states may go further, closing embassies. But walking away, wagging a patronising white finger at states facing existential threats will do nothing to stabilise the region
This project maps African regional initiatives in west and central Africa and provides a data-based and a geographical overview of the ‘à la carte’ nature of African regional cooperation
Violence is tearing Mali and the Sahel apart. But who are the armed groups behind the bloodshed? Where are international actors stationed in the region? And what motivates them all?
Mark Leonard welcomes Will Brown, Jonas Horner, and Raga Makawi to discuss the EU’s response to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan
In the first big multilateral test for prime minister Giorgia Meloni, this mini-series will explore the four main priorities of Italy’s 2024 G7 presidency: Ukraine, AI, infrastructure, and Africa
Mark Leonard welcomes Cinzia Bianco and Theodore Murphy to discuss the crisis in the Red Sea and its escalation potential
Jeremy Shapiro welcomes Adebayo Olukoshi, Brian Kagoro, and Theodore Murphy to talk about Africa and the global order
Mark Leonard is joined by Theodore Murphy, Julien Barnes-Dacey and Marie Dumoulin to talk about Sudan
Mark Leonard is joined by Comfort Ero to learn more about the Nigerian perspective on global order
What does the end of Operation Barkhane in its current form mean for the Sahel?
What are the regional implications of the Tigray conflict and the prospects for transatlantic cooperation around the issue?
Where do we stand now in building a “strategic partnership” between the European and African continent?
A decade of military, humanitarian, and developmental European interventions in the Sahelian states of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have failed comprehensively. Yet, European governments…
Negli ultimi anni, la presenza della Russia in Africa è cresciuta significativamente, sia nel Nord Africa che nell’Africa Subsahariana, presentando una sfida strategica per l’Europa e, in particolare, per l’Italia. Mosca ha rafforzato la sua presenza nel continente attraverso una serie di accordi bilaterali, cooperazioni militari, e investimenti economici e nel settore energetico. Questo incremento di influenza è stato percepito come una mossa strategica per aumentare il suo peso globale e per contrastare l’influenza occidentale
Amid global geopolitical tensions, the EU has been ramping up efforts to diversify its mineral value chains by forging strategic partnerships with resource-rich African nations
Policy and research circles are increasingly interested in Gulf monarchies’ expanding footprint in Africa, though the challenges and opportunities of the deepening Gulf-Africa relations for…
Konflikte in Gaza, im Sudan und in der Ukraine, irreguläre Migration, Klimakrise und Extremismus: Die Welt wird von immer mehr gleichzeitig aufretenden Krisen erschüttert, die…
As European leaders navigate the EU’s strategic future amid rising geopolitical tensions, a critical mass of middle powers, from India and Turkey to the Gulf…
La discussione “Corridoio India-Medio Oriente-Europa: tra sfide attuali e potenziale strategico”, organizzata dall’ufficio di Roma dello European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) ed ELEC – European League for Economic Cooperation, avrà luogo, in forma virtuale, mercoledì 12 giugno 2024 dalle ore 16:30 alle ore 18:00 sulla piattaforma Zoom
The global energy transition has become a battleground for competing interests, with Africa emerging as a pivotal arena. International players vie for access to Africa’s…
The economic shock after COVID-19 plunged many African economies into debt trouble. Yet, four years later, the current system for restructuring debts – the G20 Common…
The lack of affordable finance for climate projects in Africa is a key barrier for the continent to reach its adaptation and mitigation goals. It…
Maddalena Procopio on the Lobito Corridor as clear positioning of the United States in Africa towards China
