Deadly skies: Drone warfare in Ethiopia and the future of conflict in Africa
Drone warfare is increasing in Ethiopia and across Africa. These foreign-supplied weapons risk prolonging wars and can help drive governments further away from the West
Africa
Split decision: Why Sudan is on the brink of partition—again
The prospect of a divided Sudan is gaining traction among local and regional actors, threatening to further destabilise an already fragile region. European policymakers must act swiftly to arrest this dangerous slide
Pressure points: How Europeans could help avert a Third Congo War
Congo stands on the brink of being at the centre of a devastating new regional war. Europe should act in its own self-interest to avert further humanitarian catastrophe
Why France should close its permanent military bases in Africa
Chad and Senegal recently announced the end of their historic defence agreements with France. Now France should hand over its remaining military bases in Africa and work towards a more forward-thinking cooperation model
Rules of entry: Cooperative pathways for Europe and Africa on critical minerals
European countries want to secure supplies of African critical raw materials. To achieve this, they must increasingly meet locally set requirements that channel benefits into local economies in Africa
10 Dec
Il Circolo dell’ECFR: L’asse Emirati Arabi Uniti-Africa: orientarsi nel nuovo scenario multipolare
Il tema di questa edizione de Il Circolo dell’ECFR sarà focalizzato sul ruolo degli Emirati Arabi Uniti in Africa. Mentre i leader europei riflettono sul…
Reste calme: Why Europeans should take a measured approach towards Trump in Africa
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
Material world: How Europe can compete with China in the race for Africa’s critical minerals
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
Changing focus: How Europeans should respond to shifting Russia-Africa relations
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
21 Oct
How Europeans can help stabilise the Sahel
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…
Publications
Deadly skies: Drone warfare in Ethiopia and the future of conflict in Africa
Drone warfare is increasing in Ethiopia and across Africa. These foreign-supplied weapons risk prolonging wars and can help drive governments further away from the West
Split decision: Why Sudan is on the brink of partition—again
The prospect of a divided Sudan is gaining traction among local and regional actors, threatening to further destabilise an already fragile region. European policymakers must act swiftly to arrest this dangerous slide
Rules of entry: Cooperative pathways for Europe and Africa on critical minerals
European countries want to secure supplies of African critical raw materials. To achieve this, they must increasingly meet locally set requirements that channel benefits into local economies in Africa
Material world: How Europe can compete with China in the race for Africa’s critical minerals
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
Aligned in the sand: How Europeans can help stabilise the Sahel
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
Beyond competition: How Europe can harness the UAE’s energy ambitions in Africa
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
From mines to markets: How Africa and Europe can become green industry partners of choice
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
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
Articles
Pressure points: How Europeans could help avert a Third Congo War
Congo stands on the brink of being at the centre of a devastating new regional war. Europe should act in its own self-interest to avert further humanitarian catastrophe
Why France should close its permanent military bases in Africa
Chad and Senegal recently announced the end of their historic defence agreements with France. Now France should hand over its remaining military bases in Africa and work towards a more forward-thinking cooperation model
Reste calme: Why Europeans should take a measured approach towards Trump in Africa
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
Changing focus: How Europeans should respond to shifting Russia-Africa relations
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
The sweating bear: Why Russia’s influence in Africa is under threat
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
Out of focus: Making progress on climate financing for Africa
The lack of financing for climate projects in Africa is a major obstacle for the continent to reach its goals under the Paris agreement. In this critical year for climate finance, scattered efforts threaten to stymie real progress
False economy: Why Europeans should stop slashing development aid to Africa
The first two months of 2024 have seen the EU and member states redirect billions of euros of development funding away from Africa – but this could come at great cost to their long-term interests on the continent
Trading bases: The Red Sea tinderbox and the maritime economy
Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes expose how actors beyond the great powers can weaponise an interdependent global economy. To help overcome this threat, Europeans should advocate cooperation between the US and China
Beyond the Mattei plan: Italy’s search for an Africa policy
This week, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni will present an urgently needed strategic plan for Africa. But as things stand, it is missing a clear strategy and the necessary planning
Not just hot air: Realising the potential of the EU-Namibia green hydrogen partnership
The EU and Namibia have launched the roadmap of their renewable hydrogen partnership. To ensure it effectively helps the EU’s sustainability goals and boosts Namibia’s economic growth, planning should be clearer and more realistic
Events
10 Dec
Il Circolo dell’ECFR: L’asse Emirati Arabi Uniti-Africa: orientarsi nel nuovo scenario multipolare
Il tema di questa edizione de Il Circolo dell’ECFR sarà focalizzato sul ruolo degli Emirati Arabi Uniti in Africa. Mentre i leader europei riflettono sul…
21 Oct
How Europeans can help stabilise the Sahel
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…
17 Oct
Das ÜberLeben der Anderen: Warum Deutschlands Sicherheit global gedacht werden muss
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…
25 Sep
Critical minerals and EU-Africa strategic partnerships: where do we stand?
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
18 Sep
Researchers’ dialogue: Unlocking Africa-Europe-Gulf relations
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…
6 May
African Voices: African reforms and priorities for Climate Finance
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…
4 Mar
The aftermath of Yaya Dillo’s death: implications for Chad and Sudan
On 28 February, Chadian opposition leader Yaya Dillo was killed in a shootout with security forces. He had been accused of leading an attack against…
21 Feb
The externalization of Europe’s borders: the only solution?
Migration in the Mediterranean has been a crisis factor for Europe for decades. To shed light on the issue, the discussion will revolve around ECFR’s policy brief edited by Lorena Stella Martini and Tarek Megerisi, which examines the case study of the Central Mediterranean route to analyse European externalization policies, focusing primarily on migration to Italy
15 Feb
South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice
On 29 December 2023, South Africa filed its first-ever application before the International Court of Justice in response to the situation in the Gaza Strip,…
12 Dec
What do middle powers think? The view from South Africa
Many people outside the West want Europe and the US in their lives for all they have to offer – but that does not translate…
In the media
The EU cannot limit itself to reacting. A comprehensive security approach is needed, combining migration control with investment in political and economic stability
Andrew Lebovich warns about the lack of a comprehensive European strategy for West Africa
In her piece, Sarah Logan argues that Europe struggles to match China’s influence in Africa’s critical minerals sector
Although Ghana has one of the most professional armies in the region, it is not yet well prepared and equipped to face the jihadist challenge