Beyond Rhetoric: Crafting a Win-Win EU-Africa Partnership

Policy Brief

This policy brief emerges from discussions within the EU-Africa Progressive Network. These conversations were driven by the urgent need for Europe and Africa to redefine their partnership, moving beyond historical patterns of resource extraction and export towards a relationship built on mutual benefit and shared development.

In this context, Europe’s green transition needs to be considered not just in terms of raw materials needed, but also as a lever for green industrialisation in Africa. Structural transformation remains essential for socio-economic progress across African countries, and green industrialisation can provide substantial opportunities. In this discussion, sustainability and social standards are often an area of friction in EU-Africa relations; the differences stem less from the overall objectives and more from the EU’s top-down regulatory approach and limited support for African countries in their implementation.

Any renewed partnership must also confront ongoing challenges related to peace, human rights and democratic governance, anchored in mutual respect for sovereignty. At the same time, EU initiatives in Africa must ensure inclusive and meaningful participation by communities and be supported by robust accountability systems and a conflict- sensitive approach that fosters trust and credibility. Ultimately, only by recognising Africa as an equal partner and with the EU being transparent about its interests, while offering a value-based approach, can both continents build a win-win partnership.

This policy brief was launched at the first in-person meeting of the EU-Africa Progressive Network in Amsterdam, just before the 30th annual Africa Day 2025.