Marking the 25th anniversary of the partnership between the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU), leaders met in Luanda, the capital of Angola, to discuss cooperation in promoting peace and prosperity through effective multilateralism.
The summit was chaired by Angolan President and Chairman of the AU João Lourenço and European Council President António Costa. The EU was represented by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the AU by H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the Chair of the African Union Commission.
Today’s Challenges Have No Border
“Our objective for this historic summit is the pursuit of a strong, balanced, forward‑looking EU–Africa partnership,” António Costa stated.
“The challenges we face today – climate change, digital transformation, migration, security – know no borders. The response to this multipolar world must be multipolar cooperation.”
As such, leaders expressed strong commitment to multilateral order, especially in cooperation with the United Nations and by adhering to the UN Charter, to bring “stability and predictability.”
In terms of direct cooperation between the two continents, the Global Gateway Investment Package was a major talking point: the €150 billion aims to support African growth in sustainability, economy, and strengthening health and education sectors specifically.
The package marks a major shift in the EU’s Africa policy: seeking to sever Africa’s dependence on global aid through development but not quite pulling out as the US did, making Africa an actor in global politics.
Trade and Energy
International law and multilateralism were emphasized in light of recent trade developments: with the US tariffs breaking WTO rules and China’s push into Africa through the Belt and Road Initiative, international norms are being challenged.
“China helped rebuild Angola after the civil war in 2002 with loans and infrastructure projects,” Vandre Spellmeier of the delegation of the German Industry and Commerce in Angola (AHK Angola) told DW. He says the EU is “not too late” but must recognize that countries like Angola are now trying to free themselves of debt.
The US increasingly invests in mining rare earth minerals and building internet coverage. Experts are frequently reiterating that the EU should streamline its processes of investment to keep up with other investors.
The EU’s focus on green energy investment is tailored to dominate a sector not yet reached by others, while digital transformation supports this growth. The Africa-Europe green energy initiative, for instance, aims to provide 50GW of electricity from renewables for 100 million people by 2030.
In her speech, Ursula von der Leyen stressed the importance of trade between the two continents, as Europe, despite catching up in investments, is the biggest trading partner for Africa “with 240 billion euros in 2023 alone.”
“One-third of Africa’s total trade is with Europe, and Africa exports to Europe more than twice as much as to China. Most of our trade has been duty-free and quota-free already for decades, thanks to our free trade deals and preference schemes.”
The Global Gateway is often framed as the EU’s Belt and Road Initiative; leaders hope it won’t just develop Africa but also connect it to the global market while supporting internal trade. At the same time, many critics say it is difficult to apply for and overlooks African needs.
The most pressing issue for Africans is employment and education, as 40% of the population is under 15 years old. Though the EU promotes migration between the continents for education, with EU-funded mobility partnerships facilitating exchanges involving more than 30,000 African students and staff and over 18,000 Europeans, more help is needed inside Africa.
Security and Migration
The Joint Declaration signed by attendees expresses support for peace in all war-torn countries, including Ukraine, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, beyond emphasizing legality and assisting those in need of international protection, not much else was mentioned.
Meanwhile, the 12 civilian and military security operations and African engagement with the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) were welcomed, reiterating commitment to inclusive governance and rule of law.
Migration, though a major part of EU-AU cooperation, was overshadowed by trade and security concerns. The European Parliamentary Research Service listed some key issues ahead of the Summit, including the sidelining of African partners and civil societies in solutions, forced expulsions into the desert, and other human rights violations across migration pacts, especially those with Northern African countries.
Partners emphasized that most migration happens inside Africa, though the most dangerous routes, with deadly crossings and rampant smuggling gangs, are the ones that connect the two continents.
However, beyond this, not much else was said. The final declaration promises a reciprocal partnership that will establish more legal pathways instead of the deadly Mediterranean routes, preventing irregular departures and smuggling activities, and investing in African job opportunities, education, and vocational training.
Though the final EU-AU commitment promised “improving effective, safe, timely, and dignified return and readmission and sustainable reintegration,” specifics were lost amid the discussion.
A Cooperation to Last
The two unions agreed to reconvene in Brussels for the 8th Summit to chart their progress and a new way forward. While the cooperation between the two continents seems prosperous, some tensions remain: not between the partners but between citizens and policymakers who seem to think current policies are enough to tackle major issues, like migration.
More on-the-ground action should be taken, and more dialogue should focus on human rights concerns in war-torn states as much as the busiest transit states. Yet, few words are said, as economics and geopolitics overshadow implementing civilian rights protections and public security measures.
