Africa and the EU

Africa and Europe are bound by deep political, economic, and humanitarian ties, built on decades of cooperation. The EU is Africa’s top trading partner and investor, as well as key partner in advancing peace, security and governance. Closer ties between Europe and Africa create opportunities for all.

At the 7th EU-AU Summit held in 2025, leaders committed to strengthen their partnership - focusing on:

• Solidarity and prosperity – ensuring benefits for current and future generations
• Peace and security – strengthening stability across both continents
• Long-term economic growth – driving inclusive and sustainable development.

The EU fully supports Agenda 2063, African Union's 50-year vision (2013–2063) to transform Africa into a global powerhouse through sustainable development, integration, and peace. As the world’s largest provider of Official Development Assistance (ODA) and humanitarian aid, the EU stands with Africa in addressing shared challenges—from climate change to health and digital transformation.

Diplomacy and Partnership Engagement

The European Union is working closely with African partners. Cooperation between the African and the European continent is taking place both at bilateral level as well as in sub-regional, regional and multilateral fora.

The EU has 51 delegations across Africa, including 46 in Sub-Saharan Africa. This long-standing collaboration continues to shape economic growth, security, and sustainability in both continents. Key frameworks include:

• EU-AU Partnership, formally launched at the 2000 AU-EU Summit in Cairo
• EU-OACPS Partnership (with the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States), one of the EU’s oldest and most comprehensive partnerships, dating back to 1975. The current EU-OACPS framework is the Samoa Agreement (see below)
• Direct engagement with sub-regional organisations (Regional Economic Communities - RECs) in Africa (ECOWAS, IGAD, SADC etc [links]).

Trade & Investment

• €360 billion in EU-Africa trade, making up 33% of Africa’s total trade (2024).
• €250 billion in EU Foreign Direct Investment (FID) in Africa - six times more than China (2024).
• Read more on DG TRADE .

Global Gateway and international cooperation

• Global Gateway is the EU’s economic partnership initiative with an overall mobilized budget of EUR 320 billion (2021-27) out of which EUR 150 billion earmarked for Africa.
• Official Development Assistance (ODA) form EU and EU member states amounted to EUR 105 billion in 2024, making the EU the largest donor worldwide and in Africa.
• Read more on DG INTPA

Humanitarian Aid

• The EU earmarked around EUR 550 million for Africa for humanitarian aid (2021-27). Read more here.

Security Engagement

• There are currently 11 Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and operations in Africa which includes the European Union’s Security and Defence Initiative in the Gulf of Guinee. Read more here.
• The European Union has also committed around EUR 1.2 billion to Africa via the European Peace Facility (EPF) since the creation of the EPF in 2021. Read more here.

Governance and Human Rights

• European Union has deployed more than 180 EU Election Observation Missions (EOMs) since 2000, including 7 EOMs in 2025. Read more here.
• The EU Human Rights Defenders Mechanism directly supported over 9,500 human rights defenders (HRDs) across the globe in 2025. Additionally, through its Emergency Fund for Human Rights Defenders the EU provided direct, life-saving emergency grants to 2,302 human rights defenders at risk. Read more here.

The African Union-European Union (AU-EU) Partnership is a cornerstone of cooperation between the 55 African Union member states and the European Union, fostering collaboration across political, economic and development priorities. By amplifying their collective influence in global fora, the AU and EU promote their shared objectives – from peace and stability to sustainable growth.

At the 2025 EU-Africa Summit, leaders reaffirmed the alignment of this partnership with the AU’s Agenda 2063 (Africa’s long-term development plan) and the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (A global framework for equitable and sustainable progress).

Over 25 years, the AU-EU relationship has grown into one of the world’s most dynamic, ambitious and impactful partnerships. Guided by the Joint Vision for 2030, it continues to evolve and thrive. Progress is driven in four key areas:

1. Peace, Security & Governance [jump to P&S] - The EU backs AU-led initiatives in conflict prevention, peacekeeping, and stabilisation.
2. Prosperity (Economic Growth & Investment) [jump to Prosperity] - Through the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, the partnership accelerates sustainable infrastructure, boosts renewable energy, transport networks, digital infrastructure, and climate-resilient projects across Africa, unlocking Africa’s economic potential.
3. People (Migration & Mobility) [jump to People] - Both Unions work on balanced, humane, and sustainable approaches to migration to manage migration, promote legal pathways and address root causes.
4. Planet (Climate & Sustainable Development) [jump to Planet] – The partnership fast-tracks Africa’s green transition, scaling up clean energy, and resilient infrastructure to combat climate change to safeguard the planet for future generations.

PeopleImages.com - Yuri A/Shutterstock

The Global Gateway is the EU’s plan to invest in smart, sustainable, and secure connections around the world through a Team Europe approach, where the EU, its member countries, and financial institutions join forces to create sustainable growth.

The Global Gateway Africa-Europe Investment Package supports Africa’s development goals (AU Agenda 2063) and shared priorities for 2030. Over 140 major projects are already underway in Africa with EUR €120 billion has been mobilized (2021-25).

The focus is on key areas such as:

• Clean energy & climate action - Expanding renewable energy and protecting the environment.
• Digital & transport networks - Improving connectivity and trade.
• Agriculture & food security - Strengthening farming and food systems.
• Health & education - Building better healthcare and training opportunities.
• Private sector & economic growth - Supporting businesses and regional trade.
• Science, technology & innovation - Driving progress in key industries.

The EU and AU investment strategy also ensures long-term economic and social benefits by:

• Training local workers - Providing skills for jobs in new industries.
• Strengthening regulations - Ensuring projects are well-managed and sustainable.
• Supporting education & capacity-building - Helping communities make the most of new opportunities.

INTPA website on Global Gateway in Africa

Skills

In 43 African countries, the EU is supporting teachers, improving vocational training and helping young people gain the skills they need for the future.

Erasmus+ 

The Erasmus+ programme strengthens ties between Europe and Africa as a priority partner region through education cooperation and exchange. By funding scholarships, internships, and partnerships, it helps students, teachers, and young professionals gain new skills. The programme also develops lasting bonds between institutions, fostering innovation, collaboration, and mutual growth. For example, Erasmus+ funds some 11,000 scholarships for African university students and staff every year.

Migration

The EU and Africa are partnering to make migration safe, fair, and more beneficial for everyone. A balanced, cooperative migration policy ensures that persons on the move, countries of origin, transit nations, and destination countries all benefit, in a spirit of shared responsibility and respect of international obligations.

2630ben/Shutterstock

Our approach covers:

• Combating human trafficking and smuggling
• Promoting legal pathways for migration
• Harnessing the skills and contributions of diaspora communities
• Tackling the root causes of irregular migration
• Strengthening migration policies for better governance, including through border management and relevant capacity-building.
• Supporting safe returns, readmission and reintegration.

The EU and Africa have a unique opportunity to shape the global agenda and tackle shared challenges. With a combined population of nearly 2 billion people making up over 40% of the UN’s membership the EU and Africa are stronger together. The EU fully supports the African Union’s (AU) ambition to take a leading role on the world stage, including in the G20 and the UN.

Heinz-Peter Schwerin/Shutterstock

Climate Change

The EU fulfils its climate finance commitment under the Paris Agreement and cooperates with Africa on climate change, environment and biodiversity under the UN fora (Conferences of the Parties, COPs). Among others, the EU, with its Member States and the European Investment Bank, is the world’s biggest contributor of public climate finance to developing economies. That is why we are working closely with African partners to build a greener future to:

• Put COP agreements into action—turning promises into results.
• Close the investment gap through the Global Gateway (with 50% of projects on climate&energy), prompting Africa unlock its economic potential while moving toward net-zero emissions.
• Strengthen climate resilience with
• Early Warning Systems to prepare for disasters
• Better access to climate adaptation funding
• Climate and Disaster Risk Insurance to protect communities

Read more here.

The EU is working alongside the members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) for more than 50 years, evolving from a development-focused relationship to a true political partnership. The relations are currently framed by the new Samoa Agreement (signed in November 2023), bringing together 104 countries, which is over half the UN membership, around shared goals and principles.

Through this agreement, the EU and the OACPS have been defending joint priorities in the multilateral scene, strengthening trade and investment relations, and addressing common challenges. The agreement It includes three tailored regional protocols for Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. 

Want to Know More?

Explore the links below for more information about The Samoa agreement.

• Press release on the Samoa Agreement signing
• Link to the Agreement text
• EP Website
• OACPS Home | One Voice, Three Regions, 79 Nations