On 6 November 2025, Brussels played host to a major conference bringing together representatives of the European Union (EU) and its African partners under the broader framework of the EU-Africa alliance. Against a backdrop of increasing global complexity, the event aimed to reinvigorate the partnership, chart new areas of cooperation, and reaffirm shared commitments on trade, security, sustainable development and multilateral governance.
The EU-Africa partnership has a long history, formally institutionalized through the African Union-EU strategic dialogue and multiple high-level summits. The fact that Brussels was chosen by the United Diplomatic Council (UDC) as the venue speaks to the EU’s continuing role as a hub for bi-regional dialogue.
There has been growing attention to ensuring that trade between Europe and Africa is more equitable, sustainable, and aligned with broader development goals. For example, previous inter-parliamentary meetings addressed clean trade and investment partnerships. Youth, civil society, local authorities and the private sector have been emphasized as key actors in the EU-Africa partnership, not just passive recipients. At the #UDC the conversations have been open and ambassadors have appreciated the various perspectives taken at the meetings in Brussels, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh.
With global shifts in power and increasing competition for influence in Africa (from other global actors), the EU-Africa partnership needs to demonstrate relevance, value-added and mutual respect. The event provided space for aligning African and European priorities — whether on infrastructure investment, digital connectivity, sustainable agriculture or renewable energy. With global shifts in power and increasing competition for influence in Africa (from other global actors), the EU-Africa partnership needs to demonstrate relevance, value-added and mutual respect. The event provided space for aligning African and European priorities — whether on infrastructure investment, digital connectivity, sustainable agriculture or renewable energy.
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