As competition from China, Russia, and the United States intensifies, and war in Iran disrupts Middle East energy supply, Europe is gradually moving away from traditional models of development aid in favor of partnerships based on mutual interests with Africa.
This reshuffle opens up internal and external opportunities, according to former Malawi president Lazarus Chakwera.
“As we develop, what was suitable yesterday may no longer be today. Therefore, it is necessary to have an ongoing conversation to determine the best way forward so that the situation becomes a win-win situation,” he stated.
He believes this new approach should occur on multiple levels, highlighting that intra-European trade remains higher than that among African countries.
“We say that economic integration on the continent should be encouraged as much as we have bilateral agreements with nations outside this continent,” he continued.
“Therefore, whether it’s free trade on the continent, we must find ways to facilitate the quicker implementation of these agreements,” he added.
EU Banking on African Gas to Secure Imports
In this context of increased competition, several European officials see the need to thoroughly rethink the relationship with Africa to avoid losing influence.
“I believe that today we must review our policy with African countries and move away from this outdated development aid policy that does not address concrete realities,” stated Younous Omarjee, French MEP from the Left party and Vice President of the European Parliament.
Speaking at the Africa Political Outlook forum in Brussels, he emphasized the need for Europe to clearly assert its interests, highlighting that “the development and prosperity of the African continent determine the development and prosperity of Europe,”
“So, we have interests in Africa, and African countries have interests in their partnership with Europe,” he added.
Energy is a major focus of this repositioning. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Europe has fundamentally reconfigured its sources of supply.
The tanker – AP Photo
As the war in Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran disrupt other oil and gas routes, Africa’s importance in the global energy market has increased due to its geographic proximity and relatively safe navigation routes.
To replace lost supplies, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced an enhanced energy cooperation with Algeria, which currently covers over 30% of Italy’s natural gas needs.
Nigeria also remains a key supplier for Southern Europe: over half of Portugal’s liquefied natural gas imports come from Nigeria.
According to several analysts, this energy partnership could profoundly transform investment flows and economic prospects for the African continent. However, structural obstacles remain, particularly in terms of infrastructure and security.
In March, EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas visited the West African states of Nigeria and Ghana, marking a significant step in the strategic partnership between the two regions.
In Nigeria, she signed a migration readmission agreement and announced a €288 million support program covering sectors such as health, agriculture, finance, climate, and digital infrastructure.
In Ghana, she concluded the EU’s first-ever security and defense partnership with the country, focusing on counterterrorism and maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
“This partnership allows us to collaborate more closely in key areas for the security of our citizens, both in Europe and in Ghana,” she said, describing the agreement as the first of its kind between the EU and an African country.
Kaja Kallas, EU Foreign Affairs Chief, in Accra, Ghana, March 24, 2026. – European Council Newsroom
Towards the End of Traditional Aid Era
These initiatives come amid a decline in European influence in West Africa, following a series of coups between 2020 and early 2026 in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Gabon, Niger, Guinea-Bissau, and Madagascar.
For decades, Europe has been a key partner in Africa, providing development aid and shaping governance frameworks.
According to the African Political Outlook report, this approach now belongs to the past.
Mouctar Bah, President of the Brussels-Africa Hub, believes European policymakers are slow to grasp the ongoing changes.
“People are still living in the past. They do not see the future,” he stated.
In 2024, trade between the EU and Africa totaled 355 billion euros, with the EU remaining Africa’s top trading partner, closely followed by China, according to EU data.
The EU has signed six economic partnership agreements with 15 Sub-Saharan African countries and four association agreements with North African countries.
According to trade expert Isabelle Herbert-Collet, the new approach must focus on stronger local connections.
“It’s not just about investments, but also about envisioning the right products and services and facilitating intercultural exchanges,” she concluded.
