The sixth summit of European Union and African Union heads of state and government will take place from 17-18th February in Brussels. Speaking at
The sixth summit of European Union and African Union heads of state and government will take place from 17-18th February in Brussels.
Speaking at a press conference in December, President Emmanuel Macron of France held out the prospect of “reforging an economic and financial New Deal with Africa”, saying that Europe wanted to “establish a genuine system of peace and prosperity to build investments in African economies and build a shared future”.
As usual, there will be much on the agenda, from migration to climate change and counterterrorism to trade. But some commentators are wary of another discussion forum.
Economist Carlos Lopes expressed fears that the summit would produce nothing but “grand declarations of intent”, saying that most pandemic support from the European Commission had simply been reprogrammed funds diverted from elsewhere.
While Europe might be reluctant to commit more extensive funds to Africa on a range of issues given its own dire financial straits in the wake of the pandemic, there is one area in which it can be more supportive: the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Until now, Europe has continued to pursue bilateral and sub-regional trade deals in Africa, weakening the continent’s overall bargaining power and making it harder to promote the positive impacts of the AfCFTA on the continent itself.
Trade between Europe and Africa could be revolutionised by full continental implementation of the AfCFTA, and the EU may find that a comprehensive engagement is far more profitable than its current piecemeal approach. The message should be heard loud and clear at the EU-Africa summit: the AfCFTA is here to stay.
- David Thomas – Editor, African Business Magazine