Why the EU and Africa need each other in a fragmented world
As global multilateralism faces attacks and geopolitical competition intensifies, the European Union and the African Union are preparing for a critical summit in Angola. But in a world of messy geopolitics, can these two neighbouring continents find common ground?
In this episode of Europolis: the Global Europe podcast, Sophie Desmidt interviews Gustavo de Carvalho, senior researcher at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), on whether Europe and Africa can move beyond old donor-recipient dynamics to become the “adults in the room”: stabilising forces that champion multilateralism as others step back.
The conversation dives into how the partnership is shifting from aid to investment, the test for the EU’s Global Gateway, and why a true partnership means discussing global security, not just African conflicts.
From aid to investment
The discussion highlights a pivotal shift from traditional aid towards a partnership defined by investment and infrastructure. The EU’s Global Gateway is positioned as a potential game-changer, aligning with African aspirations to build local value chains and sustainable industries, particularly in the energy transition. This reflects a broader change in African narratives, which now prioritise access to markets and affordable finance over the “aid of aid” model.
In a fragmented global order, Europe and Africa can act as the “adults in the room” by championing the multilateral institutions both continents rely upon. While Africa is diversifying its partners (BRICS, US and others) the shared vulnerability to global instability draws the two regions together. The episode also explores how African countries can leverage their non-aligned status to keep diplomatic channels open where others cannot.
Redefining the security partnership
Sophie and Gustavo argue for a security partnership that transcends “Europe’s role in Africa” to address truly global challenges, such as the war in Ukraine. A meaningful evolution requires moving beyond high-level declarations to establish deep, technical-level diplomatic exchanges that are currently missing. As hybrid threats rise in Europe and instability persists in Africa, both regions face an existential need for a functioning collective security system.
