You are here

Africa

The African continent is undergoing profound transformations. Traditional and hybrid threats, growing violent extremism, structural and climate-related vulnerabilities, and migratory pressures represent some of the challenges faced by the continent.

At the same time, Africa is also witnessing fast-paced political, economic and technological progress. This is radically changing its societies and institutions,  with African countries gaining a new prominence in a multipolar world, as demonstrated by the accession of the African Union (AU) to the G20 in September 2023.

External shocks, such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, have accelerated pre-existing trends.

The relationship between the European Union and African countries and institutions is also evolving, reflecting the new and more competitive geopolitical realities.

The Joint Communication ‘Towards a Comprehensive Strategy with Africa’ calls for a strengthened EU strategic alliance with Africa. It aims to enhance cooperation on global and multilateral affairs based on a clear understanding of respective and mutual interests and responsibilities. The Strategy also highlights shared commitments between the AU and EU, such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063. ‘A Joint Vision for 2030’, adopted in 2022, reiterates the need for a closer partnership for a common future and identifies key priorities in four domains: prosperity and sustainability, peace and security, migration and mobility and multilateralism.

EUISS research on Africa

The EUISS provides innovative research, analysis and advice to support EU and Member States’ strategies and policies towards Africa. Our objective is to contribute to forging a stronger partnership between the two continents.

The EUISS uses its convening power to facilitate knowledge sharing, brainstorming, consensus building and dialogues with stakeholders and local partners, to break new ground on matters affecting Africa-EU relations. The Institute looks at evolving conflict dynamics across the continent, formulating recommendations on how to strengthen the implementation of the EU’s integrated approach.

The EUISS also monitors political, economic and security trends in countries at risk of falling or relapsing into conflict, to make the case for prevention when EU action can be impactful, using strategic foresight methodologies.

Finally, the EUISS studies the African geopolitical landscape and the role of new geopolitical actors projecting their influence in the continent, as well as related emerging challenges, such as cyber risks and hybrid threats.

Flagship initiatives

Chaillot Papers

Four flagship publications exploring the new geo-strategic landscape in Africa:

  • The Africa Atlas ‘maps’ areas of shared interest in the partnership between the EU and the AU and key trends and trajectories by means of visuals and infographics, thus letting data speak through graphics, charts and maps.
  • African Spaces accounts for physical and non-physical spaces where geopolitical competition takes place in the continent.
  • African Futures 2030 uses foresight scenarios to explore the implications of the African Continental Free Trade Area for peace and prosperity.
  • African Strategies analyses the evolution of European and global actors’ strategies towards the continent, as a result of the ‘new scramble for Africa’.

EUISS-COAFR Meetings 

Since January 2019, the EUISS organises regular meetings with the European Council’s Working Party on Africa (COAFR). Sessions are designed to provide delegates of EU Member States with innovative approaches and facilitate knowledge-sharing on selected regions, countries or topics, contributing to Africa-related policy planning and joint analysis.

Conflict Series – Policy Briefs

The Conflict Series examines contemporary conflict situations and conflict-related thematic issues to contribute to enhanced conflict analysis that serves policy planning and policymaking. Several analyses of African conflict situations have been published under the series.

Imagine Africa Series – Policy Briefs

The Imagine Africa Series provided a platform for African experts to discuss potential futures for Africa using strategic foresight scenarios on selected priority areas for Africa-Europe cooperation. Five policy briefs were published under the series and dedicated to the broad theme of ‘people-centred development’. The full list is available here.

African Futures Task Force

From November 2019 to December 2020, the EUISS ran an African Futures Task Force. Its main objective was to explore trends affecting the future of Africa in the next ten years, emphasising challenges and opportunities for policymaking. The task force resulted in the publication of the Chaillot Paper ‘African Futures 2030: free trade, peace and prosperity’ on 9 March 2021.

 

Pages

Pages

Pages

Pages

Pages

  • Image of a landscape in the Sahel © Canva
    26September 2024

    On 26 September, the EUISS hosted a closed-door roundtable discussion bringing together independent experts and EU policymakers for an assessment of the situation in West Africa and the Sahel.

  • Participants sitting around table @EUISS
    04July 2024

    This event was the first session in a new series of roundtables "The Russia rostrum: drilling deeper to get Russia right".

  • Title of event on dark blue background
    26June 2024

    The Horn of Africa and the Red Sea is a region increasingly interconnected, where its two coastlines form a unique geopolitical space with growing global repercussions in the domains of onshore and offshore security, global trade, migration, and political competition.

  • Title of the event on Turkish flags backgrounds + photos of speakers © EUISS
    13June 2024

    Türkiye's global influence is on the rise, fuelled by a potent mix of economic ambitions, popular TV shows, and cutting-edge drone technology. Watch our webinar on the country's strategic partnerships with MENA, the Gulf region and Africa.

  • HRVP Borrell speaking in front of audience ©EUISS
    11June 2024

    In the wake of the European parliamentary elections, the conference discussed the strategic options and choices facing the EU.

  • Speakers of the event (3 men, 2 women) sitting in front of an audience © LUISS
    08February 2024

    Our therapy session for the Africa-EU couple offered some fresh perspective on the future of their relation.

  • Image of EUISS analyst addressing public at Parliamentary hearing © EUISS
    23January 2024

    On 23 January, Dr Marangio was invited to speak at a joint European Parliament hearing on “The European Union’s Strategy in the Sahel”. 

  • 08January 2024

    2023 marked another successful year for the Institute's research. Here we look back at our most popular publications from last year on wide-ranging topics including European defence partnerships, EU strategy towards the Maghreb, and a maps-only volume on the future of AU-EU relations. 

  • 03May 2023

    Since 2019, regular meetings between the EU Institute for Security Studies (EUISS) and the Africa Working Party of the Council of the EU (COAFR) have fostered knowledge sharing on Africa-related policy planning and analysis.

  • Title of the meeting on blue background © EUISS
    18April 2023

    Tumultuous developments in global, regional and local politics have shaped a new geopolitical context for the Horn of Africa. The 20th EUISS-COAFR session discussed the new geopolitics of the region and its implications for EU engagement.

Pages