Tricks of the trade: Strengthening EU-African cooperation on trade in services
Services play an increasingly important role in international trade. Improving EU-African trade in services would have wide-ranging benefits for both sides
Africa
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.
Featured
Back to barracks: Building democracy after the military coup in Sudan
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
Trading aims: The value of Africa’s deep integration trade agreement
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
Key players: Why mining is central to the EU’s critical raw materials ambitions in Africa
The EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act provides an opportunity to redefine the EU’s relationship with Africa – but it can only do so with the mining sector and European industrial actors on board
Rerouting goodwill: The risks of diverting aid from Africa to Europe
European countries risk undermining their Africa strategies if they continue to neglect the numerous crises on the continent and divert aid to Europe
Tricks of the trade: Strengthening EU-African cooperation on trade in services
Services play an increasingly important role in international trade. Improving EU-African trade in services would have wide-ranging benefits for both sides
3 Mar
Seizing the moment, after the whirlwind: Nigeria after the 2023 general elections
The just-concluded general elections in Nigeria throw-up multiple contradictions. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the declared winner, cannot resolve these by simply waving the proverbial magic wand.
Russia under pressure: How Europe and the US are upping the ante in Africa
European and US support for African representation on the UNSC exposes the emptiness of Russia’s rhetoric on Africa and the global order. European leaders should take every opportunity to advance the issue of a permanent African seat or seats
2 Dec
Sahel-North Africa-Europe: Addressing the vertical pathway of instability
A panel discussion organized in collaboration with the Regional Program Political Dialogue South Mediterranean of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) in the framework of the 8th edition of the Rome MED – Mediterranean Dialogues, promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation the Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI)
6 Dec
Securing Critical Raw Materials: Europe’s strategy to compete
The event will convene a select group of European decision-makers and opinion-shapers from across business, civil society, European governments and the European Commission
The Clash of Orders with Comfort Ero on Nigeria
Mark Leonard is joined by Comfort Ero to learn more about the Nigerian perspective on global order
Principles for global order: How Europeans and the global south can shape the international order together
The experience of 2022 is a sharp reminder to Europeans that the states of the global south want to reform existing international arrangements. They should begin to negotiate on how this could look
Back to barracks: Building democracy after the military coup in Sudan
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
Publications
Tricks of the trade: Strengthening EU-African cooperation on trade in services
Services play an increasingly important role in international trade. Improving EU-African trade in services would have wide-ranging benefits for both sides
Back to barracks: Building democracy after the military coup in Sudan
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
Trading aims: The value of Africa’s deep integration trade agreement
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
Shared fortunes: Why Britain, the European Union, and Africa need one another
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.
Gateway to growth: How the European Green Deal can strengthen Africa’s and Europe’s economies
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
The fall of the Afghan government and what it means for Europe
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
Mapping African regional cooperation: How to navigate Africa’s institutional landscape
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.
Disorder from Chaos: Why Europeans fail to promote stability in the Sahel
The Alliance aimed to integrate security, development, and governance perspectives but has struggled to find coherence and effectiveness
A return to Africa: Why North African states are looking south
North African countries, each for their own reasons, are increasingly turning their attention towards sub-Saharan Africa
Bad company: How dark money threatens Sudan’s transition
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
Articles
Key players: Why mining is central to the EU’s critical raw materials ambitions in Africa
The EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act provides an opportunity to redefine the EU’s relationship with Africa – but it can only do so with the mining sector and European industrial actors on board
Rerouting goodwill: The risks of diverting aid from Africa to Europe
European countries risk undermining their Africa strategies if they continue to neglect the numerous crises on the continent and divert aid to Europe
Russia under pressure: How Europe and the US are upping the ante in Africa
European and US support for African representation on the UNSC exposes the emptiness of Russia’s rhetoric on Africa and the global order. European leaders should take every opportunity to advance the issue of a permanent African seat or seats
Principles for global order: How Europeans and the global south can shape the international order together
The experience of 2022 is a sharp reminder to Europeans that the states of the global south want to reform existing international arrangements. They should begin to negotiate on how this could look
Seats at the table: How Europe can address the international democratic deficit
The US and Japan have responded positively to developing countries’ calls for greater representation. Europe is lagging behind and losing credibility.
What the Ruto government could mean for Kenya-Europe relations
“Kenya First” may sound Trumpian. But if the new president can deliver on his promise to strengthen governance in the country, Kenya could prove an even more valuable partner for Europe.
Lone changer: Germany, Mali, and Russian influence in Africa’s arc of instability
Russia is exploiting weaknesses in Europe’s relationships with states across Africa. Germany will need to set a precedent in Mali if it is to respond to this challenge effectively.
Court in transition: Kenya’s contested presidential election
A dispute over Kenya’s recent presidential election threatens the country’s political stability. Europeans should respect the election result and support a peaceful resolution of the situation in the courts.
Demand swerve: Lavrov in Africa
By making new offers of partnership to African countries, Russia is setting a trap for the West
No cold war, please: How Europeans should engage non-aligned states
The Non-Aligned Movement is one of the largest international forums in the world. As the European Union finds its geopolitical feet, it should work to treat developing countries as individual states with their own interests and objectives.
Specials
Mapping African regional cooperation
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
Mapping armed groups in Mali and the Sahel
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?
Podcasts
The Clash of Orders with Comfort Ero on Nigeria
Mark Leonard is joined by Comfort Ero to learn more about the Nigerian perspective on global order
The EU and France in the Sahel
What does the end of Operation Barkhane in its current form mean for the Sahel?
All eyes on Ethiopia: What the EU and the US can do
What are the regional implications of the Tigray conflict and the prospects for transatlantic cooperation around the issue?
Europe’s pivot to Africa
Where do we stand now in building a “strategic partnership” between the European and African continent?
Events
3 Mar
Seizing the moment, after the whirlwind: Nigeria after the 2023 general elections
The just-concluded general elections in Nigeria throw-up multiple contradictions. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the declared winner, cannot resolve these by simply waving the proverbial magic wand.
2 Dec
Sahel-North Africa-Europe: Addressing the vertical pathway of instability
A panel discussion organized in collaboration with the Regional Program Political Dialogue South Mediterranean of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) in the framework of the 8th edition of the Rome MED – Mediterranean Dialogues, promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation the Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI)
6 Dec
Securing Critical Raw Materials: Europe’s strategy to compete
The event will convene a select group of European decision-makers and opinion-shapers from across business, civil society, European governments and the European Commission
15 Oct
Making multilateralism work for Africa
This event takes place in the context of the 10th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa
29 Sep
Berlin Africa Forum
ECFR is launching a series of high-level convenings, with a view to defining a shared concept of the Africa-Europe strategic partnership in the emerging new global order
27 Jun
Europe and Africa in a time of crisis
European officials and thinkers to talk about challenges and opportunities presented by today’s political, security and economic crises
15 Feb
What way forward for Europe in the Sahel?
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.
15 Feb
EU-African Union Summit: making the most of the European Green Deal and Global Gateway
To what extent can the European Green Deal and Global Gateway be shaped to satisfy both European and African interests?
3 May
Rebalancing security and governance in the Sahel: Possible avenues for German intervention
This event is part of the German Forum on Security Policy #DFS2021
17 Feb
Virtual Roundtable: After Barkhane? Future prospects for the Sahel
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…
In the media
Italy cannot act alone in Africa. The “Mattei Plan” has to be framed into an EU initiative.
In the competition for Africa, the West is raising the stakes, writes Theo Murphy in his op-ed
The Mattei Plan is an excellent idea that can work very well with Southern Mediterranean countries and with Africa, but up to now it is a rhetorical game that needs to be filled with content
Arturo Varvelli comments on the idea of a “Mattei Plan” to be implemented by Meloni’s government in Africa
Table Media refers to an ECFR Africa event on critical raw materials
In the Sahel countries, besides social and economic problems, there also are the interests of international actors, who are using disinformation as a tool, especially against the EU
Emanuela Del Re, EU Special Representative for the Sahel and ECFR Council Member, analyzes developments in the Sahel, and the EU’s strategy towards the region