EU – Africa cooperation

On May 20, 2022, the Foreign Affairs Council (Development Configuration) held a discussion on the emerging global food security crisis. The crisis was caused by Russia's unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine. The Council also discussed the multilateral response to this crisis and adopted conclusions on a renewed EU partnership with the least developed countries and on the 2021 report on the implementation of the European Union's external action instruments in 2020.

European Peace Facility: EUR 600 million to support the African Union The Council adopted on 21 April 2022 a decision establishing under the European Peace Facility an aid measure worth EUR 600 million to support the African Union. The EU reaffirms its firm commitment to a partnership with the African Union and to cooperation in the field of peace and security.

On March 31, 2022, as a result of the 6th European Union-African Union summit, the European Commission announced the partnership priorities with African countries: Niger, Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. The 300 million euro partnership with Niger focuses on economic growth, education and food security. Côte d'Ivoire has launched projects worth 58 million euro, the main purpose of which is to support education and "sustainable and digital growth" in the cocoa sector. Ghana will receive 44.7 million euros to strengthen its water infrastructure.

On March 24, 2022, the European Commission announced a strengthening partnership with WHO to ensure access to medicines and medical technology in Sub-Saharan Africa. A financial contribution of 24.5 million eur will support technology transfer to help local vaccine production, increase demand and strengthen drug regulation.

The heads of states and governments of the African Union (AU) and European Union (EU) member states met at the 6th European Union-African Union Summit in Brussels on 17-18 February 2022. At the summit, EU and AU leaders agreed on a shared vision for a renewed partnership the main goals are solidarity, security, peace and sustainable economic development and prosperity for the citizens of both the Union today and in the future, as well as bringing people, regions and organizations together.

On October 29, 2021, the European Commission published a report on EU humanitarian operations in 2020. More than EUR 2 billion has enabled support to more than 80 countries around the world, and humanitarian aid of EUR 450 million has been provided in response to the pandemic.

On 25-26 October 2021 in Kigali, EU and African Union foreign ministers agreed to cooperate more closely between the two regions to ensure fair access to COVID-19 vaccines. They also talked about the importance of access to and investment in sustainable industry. The EU reaffirmed its willingness to maintain a dialogue to improve democracy and governance in Africa.

The G20 foreign ministers, who met in Matera on June 29, 2021, discussed global governance and the sustainable development of the African continent. They called on the international community to "build inclusive and resilient food chains and ensure adequate nutrition for all" in line with the 2030 "Zero Hunger" goal and to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

On May 18, 2021, French President Emmanuel Macron hosted the Paris Summit on Financing of African Economies, which gathered around 30 African, European and international leaders to discuss the consequences of the health and economic crisis in Africa. The IMF and the World Bank have offered to help fund the goal of immunizing 40% of the African population.

On April 15, 2021, the European Union and the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) concluded negotiations on a new partnership agreement that will replace the Cotonou Agreement. The agreement defines the framework for economic, sectoral and political cooperation for the next 20 years. Both parties to the agreement increase their commitment to the protection of peace and security, human rights, democracy and governance.

On March 25, 2021, Members of the European Parliament adopted a strategy for a new partnership with Africa aimed at strengthening the autonomy of the continent. This strategy gives priority to education, health systems and gender equality. Cooperation also covers green transformation, digital transformation, sustainable employment, good governance and migration. 

The European Union has created a new Neighborhood, International and Development Cooperation Instrument with a budget of EUR 79.5 billion in the years 2021-2027. In Africa, aid should be directed more towards agriculture and education, especially of young people, who determine their future development. It can also support industrialization, strengthen research, support local communities engaged in international cooperation activities, and include military spending.

The EU and OACPS negotiators have reached a political agreement on the text of the new partnership agreement that will replace the Cotonou Agreement in 2021. This agreement will cover many areas, from sustainable development and growth to human rights, peace and security, and will aim to empower each region. It will set a new legal framework for the next 20 years on which to base cooperation, political and economic relations between the Union and the 79 members of the OACPS.

On 30 November 2020, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, spoke with the heads of state and government of the G5 Sahel (Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad) and the Secretaries-General of the United Nations and the African Union on jointly fighting terrorism, strengthening security and defense in the Sahel, on restoring state presence and public services in liberated areas, and increasing development efforts.

During a virtual meeting, which took place on 20^th October 2020, organized by Denmark, Germany, the European Union and the United Nations, a decision was taken to increase humanitarian aid in the Middle Sahel. The governments of 24 countries, together with institutional donors, will spend over USD 1.7 billion on this purpose. Aid will be used for food, health services, water and sanitation, education, and protection and support for victims of violence.

On 17th September 2020, a resolution on security cooperation between the European Union and Africa in the Sahel region, West Africa and the Horn of Africa was adopted. Members of the European Parliament asked the Council to approve the creation of a European fund to finance military and defense cooperation with third countries and with international organizations.

The Council concluded that the Joint Communication on "Towards a comprehensive cooperation strategy with Africa" is the basis for the launch of an ambitious new partnership with Africa. A closer partnership should focus in particular on multilateralism, peace, security and stability, sustainable and inclusive development and sustainable economic growth.

On April 17th, 2020, the European Commission announced that in 2019 the Union and its Member States allocated EUR 75.9 billion to official development assistance, of which EUR 19.8 billion came directly from the EU budget. This sum represents 55% of the world's official development aid and makes the EU the world's largest donor.

On February 27, 2020, at the 10th meeting of the European Union Commission and the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, African Union Commission President Moussa Faki Mahamat confirmed the "differences" between Africans and Europeans in the area of international justice and human rights. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, reaffirmed that both continents are "natural partners" and identified sectors for potential cooperation, reiterating that Africa is a priority for Europe.

On 27^th February 2020, during the second meeting of the European Union Commission and the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, African Union Commission President Moussa Faki Mahamat confirmed the "differences" between Africans and Europeans in terms of international justice and people's rights. His European counterpart Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed that both continents are "natural partners" and identified sectors for potential cooperation, reiterating that Africa is a priority for Europe.

On 19^th February 2020, the Task Force on Transport and Connectivity in Africa, which brings together experts from two continents under the Africa – Europe Alliance for Sustainable Investments and Jobs, submitted its final report. The report includes recommendations for aviation, road safety and connectivity, such as the creation of a Single African Air Transport Market and the Road Safety Observatory.

On November 25, 2019, development ministers discussed the upcoming Global Refugee Forum, which will take place on December 17-18, 2019 in Geneva. They were informed about the state of the negotiations on the future partnership between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states.

On September 28, 2019, the European Union reached an agreement on the future economic framework for its relations with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries after 2020. This marks the conclusion of one stage in the negotiation of the Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the ACP countries, which will replace the Cotonou Agreement.