The future of Africa-EU relations depends on bold actions today. We need to move away from traditional donor-recipient dynamics and embrace a real partnership based on mutual benefit. If we step up, we can build a future where Africa and the EU thrive together—as equal partners, economic allies, and co-owners of the future.
By Alva Finn (Executive Director ELF)
Two weeks ago, we had the pleasure of visiting Abidjan, the capital of Côte d’Ivoire, for the annual RenewPAC conference—a gathering aimed at uniting liberal and centrist parties from Europe, Africa, the Pacific, and the Caribbean. Hosted by RHDP, Côte d’Ivoire’s liberal party, the conference provided a platform for meaningful discussions on global trade, governance, and cooperation.
It is always difficult to quantify the benefits of these trips. Organizing such events always involves logistical and environmental costs, but you cannot put a price tag on human connections and shared perspectives. This year, together with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF), the European Liberal Forum (ELF), and the African Liberal Youth, we moved beyond the usual panel discussions and hosted a policy lab session on trade and partnership. The goal? To foster a real exchange between African and European participants on how to enhance trade relationships and make the EU a more competitive partner of choice. Each session was co-moderated by someone from both continents, ensuring a balanced dialogue.
Special thanks to Wendy Alexander (MP in the South African Parliament and Vice-President of the African Liberal Network) and Daouda Seck (Deputy Director of FNF Senegal) for leading with us these discussions.
Here are my key takeaways from the event:
A Wake-Up Call for Africa and the EU
While Europeans grapple with geopolitical shocks from a security and trade perspective, Africa is facing its own unique yet equally pressing challenges. With the withdrawal of USAID funding and a likely pivot in U.S. engagement, African nations are actively seeking new trade, investment, and infrastructure partnerships. As with all crisis, this moment also presents a crucial opportunity for the EU—a chance to step up, forge stronger economic ties, and renew its partnership with Africa.
If Europe seizes this opportunity, both continents stand to benefit from increased trade and investment. If we don’t, others will fill the vacuum—China, Russia, Turkey, and Iran are already increasing their influence, further reducing the EU’s relevance on the continent.
Are EU standards too high or simply misunderstood?
The short answer–probably both. I heard over and over again from African participants why the EU was not their partner of choice: European investments are too slow and bureaucratic, they come with rigid conditions that are difficult to meet, and they take a top-down approach instead of listening to local needs. From our visit to the port of Abidjan mostly financed by the bank of China, or from the local forest we visited and which was financed by Switzerland and Japan, it was clear that “Team Europe” is not a competitive partner for some key infrastructure and trade projects.
African leaders also expressed frustration with the EU’s strict standards and complex tariffs. Ironically, in some cases, African products struggle to enter the EU market despite being of superior quality. A prime example: real Moroccan argan oil—highly valued worldwide—is rejected by EU regulations.
Yet, some of these frustrations stem from misconceptions. For instance, when I asked African partners whether they had tariff-free trade agreements with the EU, they acknowledged that they did through Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs). However, the problem lies in enforcement and understanding the standards required. It is clear that the EU does not communicate effectively with its partners about the benefits of standards, agreements and partnerships.
Sharing is caring: Building local value chains
While Africa is rich in resources, it lacks the means to fully exploit them. Europeans currently import raw materials from Africa, process them in Europe, and resell them at a much higher value. This system limits Africa’s economic potential and reinforces dependency. There is much we can do to facilitate Africa processing resources themselves while reducing the price for Europeans. Think African oil refineries, coffee roasting and cocoa processing factories in Cote d’Ivoire, refineries linked to cobalt mines in the DRC. Southern Africa alone holds 60% of the resources needed for the green transition. If we speed up the value chain by processing these materials at the source, it would be a win-win for Africa, the EU, and the planet.
Another thing we all shared was our tech-optimism. Africans want to ‘own the future’ too. Speeding up knowledge and technology transfer is key and one of the ideas I developed while in Abidjan is the establishment of truly co-owned Centres of Excellence for Clean Technology linked to the Global Gateway. These research and technology development institutions could help European and African researchers developing clean mining and processing technologies and improve technology for infrastructure projects.
A Call to Action: A New Chapter for EU-Africa Relations
The future of Africa-EU relations depends on bold actions today. We need to move away from traditional donor-recipient dynamics and embrace a real partnership based on mutual benefit. This means speeding up European investment and cutting red tape, improving communication on trade agreements and standards, supporting Africa in adding value to its own resources and co-investing in research and innovation for a shared future. The time for Europe to act is now. If we step up, we can build a future where Africa and the EU thrive together—as equal partners, economic allies, and co-owners of the future.