ECFR’s Africa Programme analyses the geopolitics of the Africa-Europe relationship. This includes relations between the African Union and the European Union; foreign policy tools and strategies; and opportunities to find creative policy solutions. The Programme also focuses on two regions that are particularly relevant for Europe: the Horn of Africa and the Sahel.
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.
Africa’s burgeoning innovation economies offer huge opportunities for the continent – and for Europe as it looks to tackle the climate crisis and respond to China’s BRI global connectivity programme
European officials and thinkers to talk about challenges and opportunities presented by today’s political, security and economic crises
The EU’s values-led foreign policy and its stabilisation objectives in the Sahel are in tension with each other. Russia is now waiting to exploit that tension.
Stronger relationships with African states can help Europe address the immediate energy and food crises – and help counter Russian efforts to destabilise both continents
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 will politicise its food aid to Africa as it did covid-19 vaccines. Europe needs to learn from this experience of being outmanoeuvred as it responds to the global food crisis.
Many Europeans were disappointed with how African countries voted on UN resolutions to condemn Russia’s war on Ukraine. But they should remember that African states still need to diversify their partnerships.
The war looks set to create daunting challenges for African countries in areas such as food and energy security. Now more than ever, it is vital for Europe to show solidarity with them.
Russia’s role in Africa takes on a new meaning in light of its all-out war on Ukraine. The Kremlin may not have previously seen its ambitions in Africa in terms of conflict with Europe, but this is now the reality.
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.
Africa’s burgeoning innovation economies offer huge opportunities for the continent – and for Europe as it looks to tackle the climate crisis and respond to China’s BRI global connectivity programme
ECFR’s policy experts examine what the Taliban takeover means for countries and regions around the world: Europe, the US, the Middle East, Russia, China, Iran, Turkey, and the Sahel
Regional organisations have proliferated in Africa, with many organisations attempting to address similar issues in similar parts of the continent. Europeans should take stock of the situation they have helped create.
The Alliance aimed to integrate security, development, and governance perspectives but has struggled to find coherence and effectiveness
North African countries, each for their own reasons, are increasingly turning their attention towards sub-Saharan Africa
The transition will only succeed if the government stabilises the economy and civilians work hard to tilt the balance of power away from the military
Some European leaders see stabilisation of the region – through curbing migration and counter terror threats – as key to the future of the European project
The EU’s values-led foreign policy and its stabilisation objectives in the Sahel are in tension with each other. Russia is now waiting to exploit that tension.
Stronger relationships with African states can help Europe address the immediate energy and food crises – and help counter Russian efforts to destabilise both continents
Russia will politicise its food aid to Africa as it did covid-19 vaccines. Europe needs to learn from this experience of being outmanoeuvred as it responds to the global food crisis.
Many Europeans were disappointed with how African countries voted on UN resolutions to condemn Russia’s war on Ukraine. But they should remember that African states still need to diversify their partnerships.
The war looks set to create daunting challenges for African countries in areas such as food and energy security. Now more than ever, it is vital for Europe to show solidarity with them.
Russia’s role in Africa takes on a new meaning in light of its all-out war on Ukraine. The Kremlin may not have previously seen its ambitions in Africa in terms of conflict with Europe, but this is now the reality.
The recent summit between the European Union and the African Union raised hopes of genuine cooperation between the sides. A key test of the partnership will be in whether the EU lives up to its promises.
Legislation on human rights due diligence is coming. For it to succeed, the EU will need to coordinate key institutions and raise awareness of its benefits for Europe’s partners and companies.
The Economic Community of West African States should ensure that its sanctions on Mali do not harm ordinary citizens – and that it lifts them if the country’s military junta supports a democratic transition
Following the prime minister’s resignation, Europeans should now attempt to avert the military from further repression, engage the broader civilian constituency, and seek a new form of mediation
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?
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?
European officials and thinkers to talk about challenges and opportunities presented by today’s political, security and economic crises
The European Council on Foreign Relations is delighted to invite you to our webinar on what the latest developments mean for Europe’s engagement in the Sahel.
To what extent can the European Green Deal and Global Gateway be shaped to satisfy both European and African interests?
This event is part of the German Forum on Security Policy #DFS2021
The European Council on Foreign Relations, the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, and the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes are delighted to invite you…
The roundtable will focus on the state of the Africa-Europe relationship with its challenges and opportunities, and the role that Southern Europe could play in the process
Online discussion on ECFR’s recent policy brief African regional cooperation: How to navigate Africa’s institutional landscape and mapping project by Amandine Gnanguênon
The economic knock-on effects of the COVID19 pandemic are severe all over the world but Africa is particularly exposed. As governments’ ability to respond to the…
Something is really wrong with the global system when Africa has 65% of arable land of the world and Africa is importing 80% of its food
Theodore Murphy discusses the state of international food security with a focus on Africa
[Some in the power apparatus fear that] Dagalo – who is regarded by many observers as a strong man behind the scenes anyway – could also position himself visibly as such with the help of the Russians
Hemeti has been courting the Russians most aggressively and they’ve been responding very positively to those overtures
Theodore Murphy explains how Sudan’s military government is on the fast track to ending the country’s democratic dialogue
The [food infation] storm turned into a tsunami when Russia invaded the Ukraine
We can strike a blow against Russia and we can also do a great service to those [Sudanese] that are out on the street getting arrested and killed to try and realize their democracy,
Theodore Murphy provides insight into how Russian Influence and the Ukraine war are stirring tensions in Suda
