AU-EU Trade and Investment Overview

The European Union is Africa’s top trading and investment partner, with Africa ranking as the EU’s fourth-largest trade partner. Over the past decade, EU–Africa trade has grown by 30%, while European investment stocks on the continent have increased by 13%. Today, 44 African countries benefit from duty-free access to the EU market, and 97% of African exports enter the EU without tariffs. 

Through its network of free trade agreements and unilateral preference arrangements, the EU provides the most generous market access to African countries. This is underpinned by a stable, rules-based trade framework that makes the EU a reliable and trusted partner for Africa.