Africa and the European Union

Latest news about Africa and the European Union. Two frameworks govern EU relations with African countries. The most long-standing one is the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP), enshrined in the 1975 Lomé Convention and updated in 2000 by the Cotonou Agreement. More recently, a continental approach has gained ground, which led to the Joint-EU Africa Strategy (JAES) conceived in the 2007 EU-Africa summit in Lisbon and reflecting the pan-African dimension.

EU and Kenya sign major 'sustainable' trade agreement — 18 December 2023, 15:56 CET

The European Union and Kenya signed an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Monday to boost bilateral trade in goods, increase investment flows, and contribute to sustainable economic growth.

EU-Kenya trade agreement - guide — 18 December 2023, 15:48 CET

The EU and Kenya signed on 18 December an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to boost bilateral trade in goods, increase investment flows, and contribute to sustainable economic growth.

New EU-Africa Innovation Agenda to enhance science cooperation — 20 July 2023, 22:58 CET

The African Union and EU adopted a joint innovation Agenda Wednesday, aiming to transform and increase the innovative capacities of European and African researchers and innovators.

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in general and in Cameroon — 10 January 2023, 19:52 CET

The European Commission on 5 January identified Cameroon as a non-cooperating country in the fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, giving it a so-called ‘red card'. From now on EU Member States shall refuse the importation of fishery products from Cameroon even when accompanied by catch certificates validated by the national authorities.

EU challenges Egypt import restrictions at WTO — 27 January 2022, 18:55 CET

The European Union requested Wednesday dispute settlement consultations at the World Trade Organization (WTO) with Egypt on its 'unfair' compulsory import registration requirements.

EU concludes partnership talks with Africa-Caribbean-Pacific countries — 19 April 2021, 23:38 CET

Talks on a Post-Cotonou Agreement between the EU and Africa-Caribbean-Pacific states formally concluded Friday, setting the political and economic cooperation framework for the next twenty years.

EU paves way for greener partnership with Africa — 10 March 2020, 23:17 CET

The EU's foreign policy chief and the Commission set out the basis for a new, 'green' strategy with Africa Monday, focusing on green and digital transformation, and promoting sustainable investment and jobs.

New Strategy with Africa — 09 March 2020, 17:24 CET

The European Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy proposed on 9 March the basis for a new strategy with Africa.

Future ACP-EU Partnership — 17 February 2020, 23:42 CET

New impetus was given to the post-Cotonou negotiations on a new agreement between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP) when the two chief negotiators agreed on 17 February on the way forward.

Eastern & Southern African countries look to reinforce trade ties with EU — 03 October 2019, 22:08 CET

The EU began talks Wednesday with five Eastern and Southern Africa countries (Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and Zimbabwe) to deepen their current Economic Partnership Agreement.

Towards a new Africa - Europe Alliance — 13 September 2018, 23:15 CET

In his State of the Union 2018 address on 12 September, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker outlined Commission proposals for a new 'Africa – Europe Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobs'.

EU External Investment Plan — 12 July 2018, 18:20 CET

As part of its External Investment Plan, the EU gave its green light to a package of financial guarantee programmes worth around EUR 800 million on 10 July. This will help to leverage an estimated EUR 8-9 billion in public and private investment in Africa and the Neighbourhood.

EU partnership with G5 Sahel countries — 22 February 2018, 13:34 CET

On 23 February 2018, the European Commission is hosting the International High Level Conference on the Sahel in Brussels, with the African Union, the United Nations and the G5 Sahel group of countries, to strengthen international support for the G5 Sahel regions.

Summit strengthens EU-Africa cooperation — 30 November 2017, 22:54 CET

European and African leaders set out their commitment at the close of an EU-Africa summit Thursday to invest in youth for a sustainable future, prioritising investment, education, security and migration.

First actions of EU's External Investment Plan — 23 November 2017, 19:27 CET

The European Commission's concrete areas of investments for the EU's External Investment Plan will mobilise EUR 44 billion of sustainable investment for Africa and the EU Neighbourhood countries.

European External Investment Plan — 12 December 2017, 17:55 CET

The EU's External Investment Plan will support more inclusive and sustainable development in Africa and the European Neighbourhood. It will boost public and private investment and thus address some of the obstacles to growth in our partner countries.

Green light for European sustainable development fund — 26 September 2017, 18:04 CET

A European fund for sustainable development to support investments in African and neighbourhood countries will be set upo later this week, following Monday's agreement by the EU Council of Ministers.

EU relations with Tunisia — 10 May 2017, 23:03 CET

Six years on from the 2011 Revolution, Tunisian people have paved the way for a modern democracy based on freedoms, socio-economic development and social justice. The European Union has been supporting Tunisia in this process, reinforcing bilateral relations and cooperation in key areas.

EU drives new impetus for Europe-Africa partnership — 04 May 2017, 18:23 CET

The European Commission and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini set out Thursday the EU's political priorities and concrete proposals for a stronger strategic partnership with Africa.

EU - Libya relations — 26 January 2017, 14:30 CET

Following the popular uprising in Libya in 2011, the EU made significant efforts, including through the diplomatic track, to assist Libya's transition towards an inclusive and stable democracy and to support the UN mediation efforts in that process.

EU-southern Africa trade partnerships come into effect — 11 October 2016, 00:46 CET

EU partnership agreements with five southern African countries - Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland - came into effect Monday, starting a new chapter in their trade relations with the EU.

Euro-MPs back trade deal with six African countries — 15 September 2016, 12:28 CET

The European Parliament approved an agreement Wednesday granting duty-free access to the EU for products from Namibia, Mozambique, Botswana, Swaziland and Lesotho, and improved market access for South Africa.

EU External Investment Plan — 14 September 2016, 18:42 CET

An External Investment Plan, proposed by the European Commission on 14 September, would support investment in our partner countries, in Africa and the European Neighbourhood, to strengthen EU partnerships, promote a new model of participation of the private sector and contribute to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The plan forms part of broader efforts the EU is pursuing on the basis of the new Partnership Framework adopted in June.

Migration issues dominate EU foreign affairs council — 21 June 2016, 00:19 CET

EU foreign ministers focused on migration issues Monday, debating the migration challenges of the Sahel region, and extending the EU naval force Operation Sophia to strengthen efforts against human smugglers and traffickers.

Action to tackle root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement in the Horn of Africa — 28 April 2016, 22:07 CET

The European Commission has approved 10 new actions worth EUR 117 million to improve stability and address the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement in the Horn of Africa region.