Written by Naja Bentzen with Kate Dwyer (European Parliament Liaison Office, Washington DC) and Eric Pichon.
Conflict, food insecurity and climate shocks, among other crises, have destabilised African countries in recent years and curbed economic activity. Nevertheless, sub-Saharan Africa is seen as an emerging geopolitical force; and the European Union (EU) and the United States (US) are actively reframing their partnerships with the region.
Background: Challenges in a geostrategic environment
Sub-Saharan Africa holds the key to addressing many of the world’s most critical challenges. The region has one of the world’s youngest and fastest-growing populations, encompasses one of the largest free trade areas, has natural resources essential for renewable and low-carbon technologies, and holds a quarter of the seats in the United Nations General Assembly. There are, however, obstacles hampering the region’s geopolitical influence. Democratic backsliding and security crises relating to violent extremism and military coups have intensified in several sub-Saharan African countries in recent years. Out of the region’s 49 countries, 22 are considered fragile or conflict-affected. Some 462 million sub-Saharan Africans were living in extreme poverty in 2023, and public health challenges persist. Alongside climate-related issues, economic shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s war on Ukraine have exacerbated food insecurity and the region’s debt.
Growing Russian and Chinese influence further challenge EU and US cooperation with sub-Saharan African countries. Since 2000, China has significantly expanded its trade, investment and financial ties with the region, as well as increasing its political and military engagement. Russia has similarly intensified its military, political and economic ties with the region in recent years, including through the Wagner Group.
The EU and the US share an interest in a prosperous, peaceful and democratic Africa. During the 2021 EU–US Summit, they voiced concern over the deteriorating political, humanitarian and security situations in several sub-Saharan African countries. In their 2023 joint summit statement, they reaffirmed their commitment to enhance cooperation with African partners and tackle common security challenges together with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In a recent joint initiative, the EU and the US teamed up to advance the development of the Trans-African (Lobito) Corridor, a flagship project of the G7’s 2022 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII).
European Union–Africa relations
For the past 23 years, EU relations with sub-Saharan Africa were underpinned by the Cotonou Agreement, a legally binding treaty between the EU and sub-Saharan African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries covering trade, development and political cooperation. On 1 January 2024, the provisional application of the Samoa Agreement replaced the Cotonou Agreement with a new structure for EU–ACP relations and more flexibility for levels of action and types of cooperation. This framework complements the Africa–EU partnership, established at the first Africa–EU Summit in 2000, and the Joint Africa–EU Strategy, adopted in 2007 to strengthen political partnership and enhance cooperation. Recognising the evolving geopolitical environment, in 2020, the European Commission and the High Representative published a joint communication, ‘Towards a comprehensive strategy with Africa’. They proposed centring a new EU–Africa strategy on five thematic partnerships: green transition and energy; digital transformation; sustainable growth and jobs; peace and governance; and migration and mobility. The strategy was discussed at the 2022 African Union (AU)–EU Summit. The concluding declaration, ‘A Joint Vision for 2030’, highlighted a reaffirmed commitment to multilateralism and renewed partnerships for both peace and security and migration and mobility. At the same time, the EU pledged €150 billion in investment for 2021-2027 through the Global Gateway programme, to support its common ambition with Africa for 2030 and the AU Agenda 2063. The EU further pledged to provide specific packages for health and education systems and mobilise €425 million through Team Europe to support vaccination efforts. During the 2022 AU–EU Commission-to-Commission meeting, Commissioners agreed to launch a €750 million programme for infrastructure investment in Africa. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has made it clear that the EU is not deterred by the slow implementation of its Africa strategy, but intends to rethink its strategic presence to ensure it shows the same unity of purpose towards Africa as it does towards Ukraine. In building on its economic partnership agreements (EPA) with ACP partners, the EU launched a landmark EPA with Kenya in December 2023 to enhance trade, investment and development. The EU also supports the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) through its Peace Facility and common security and defence policy.
European Parliament role and responsibilities
Parliament is at the forefront of reshaping the EU’s Africa strategy. A 2017 resolution on boosting development in Africa included many of the priority areas subsequently set out in the 2020 joint communication. In a 2021 resolution on the EU–Africa strategy, Parliament urged both sides ‘to move beyond the donor-recipient relationship’, prioritise human development and human rights, and adapt their priorities in the light of COVID‑19. Throughout 2022 and 2023, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) passed several resolutions on various aspects of EU–Africa relations, including security threats in western and Sahelian Africa. Parliament has been a strategic partner of the AU’s Pan-African Parliament (PAP) since its inauguration in 2004. In 2009, MEPs created a standing Delegation for the Pan-African Parliament (DPAP). In 2015, Parliament’s Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group (DEG) designated the PAP as a priority regional parliament. MEPs also regularly exchange with African parliamentarians through the ACP–EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly and, as of February 2024, the Africa–EU Parliamentary Assembly. In 2023, the European Parliament opened an office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to liaise with the AU.
United States–Africa Relations
US–Africa policy has generally prioritised development, trade and investment, democracy and governance, and peace and security. Through State Department initiatives and the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the US has made vital contributions to curb public health crises, expand political rights and civil liberties, and spur economic growth. Under Obama, the US launched several programmes to increase engagement, including the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program and Power Africa. Despite strained relations between the US and sub-Saharan Africa, in 2019, the Trump administration launched Prosper Africa as a key vehicle for US trade and investment aid. In an attempt to reframe Africa’s importance to US national security interests, the Biden administration adopted a new US Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa in 2022. With its core objectives – fostering open societies; democratic and security dividends; pandemic recovery and economic opportunity; and climate adaptation and a just energy transition – the strategy aims to address immediate crises and threats while working towards strengthening Africa’s capabilities to solve global problems. During the 2022 US–Africa Leaders Summit, the Biden administration pledged to invest US$55 billion to support its strategic objectives for 2023-2026, and supported greater African representation in international institutions. The 2022 strategy has increased high-level engagement by US officials, and led to the creation of the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the US.
US Congress role and responsibilities
The US Congress plays a crucial role in supporting American policy objectives in Africa. Each chamber has sub-committees on sub-Saharan Africa to address a range of pressing topics, including governance, human rights and development challenges. In 2000 and 2015, Congress enacted and reauthorised the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a preferential trade agreement that has substantially improved African export competiveness and contributed to the creation of tens of thousands of jobs. Congress also created the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in 2004, one of the main US policy initiatives in Africa, to form partnerships with countries committed to democratic governance, economic freedom and investing in their populations. During the 115th and 117th Congress, key legislation on Africa included the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act, establishing the US Development Finance Corporation, and the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program. In addition to authorising executive action and diplomatic engagement, Congress appropriates and oversees all US foreign assistance for Africa. The House Democracy Partnership (HDP) also maintains legislative strengthening partnerships with the legislatures of Liberia and Kenya. In 2023, the House launched a US–Africa Policy Working Group to enhance cooperation with the continent and increase its understanding of ongoing challenges.
Read this ‘at a glance’ note on ‘EU and US strategies towards sub-Saharan Africa‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.
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