African-European Relations

Erforth, Benedikt / Keijzer, Niels
External Publications (2023)

in: Seidu M. Alidu / Benedikt Kamski / Andreas Mehler / David Sebudubudu (eds.), Africa Yearbook: Politics, Economy and Society South of the Sahara in 2022 , Leiden: Brill, 25-35

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004538115
Information

In 2022 the desired narrative of a renewed partnership between Africa and Europe, as adopted in a February summit of heads of state and government, was disrupted by Russia’s war against Ukraine and its global implications. Notwithstanding challenges in the relationship on areas including Ukraine, the green transition, and vaccine equity, several initiatives in the area of trade and investments sought to deepen cooperation between the EU and African states in an era of considerable international competition. This includes the EU’s Global Gateway initiative as well as its support for South -Africa’s Just Energy Transition Partnership. At the same time, South Africa’s decision to leave the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States showed that the discussion on rationalising the EU’s fragmented institutional frameworks with Africa is far from over.